Medication Aide Chapters 10-13

Solid and liquid oral dose forms

CapsuleTabletLozengeElixirEmulsionSuspensionsyrup

Equipment to measure

Souffle cupMedicine cupMedicine dropperSyringe teaspoon

How to administer oral, sublingual, and buccal drugs

Give most important drug first (cardiac or antibiotics) Give solid drugs first then liquids: do not mix solid drugs with

liquids Do not let container touch souffle or medicine cup Turn lip or cap upside down, do not touch inside of lid or cap Use souffle or medicine cup for all capsules and tablets Check with nurse before crushing tablets or opening capsules

or scoring a tablet Do not mix drugs with food or fluids unless directed Have person drink before taking drug Have person place well back on tongue Give person fluids to swallow drug Have person keep head forward while swallowing

Cont…

Encourage person to drink full glass of fluidRemind person to suck on lozengesDo not dilute liquid drug unless orderedDo not mix liquid drugs togetherGive cough syrup lastDo not return excess liquid to containerSublingual (under tongue) no water to drink, allow

drug to absorbBuccal (placed between cheek and teeth) no water

drink, allow drug absorbIf liquid is less then 5cc. Use a syringe to measure

Problems swallowing

Have resident in sitting positionGive sip of water prior to administrationGive medication one-at-a-time with adequate fluid,

do not rush residentGive most vital medications firstplace medication well back on tongueUse straw versus glassGive liquid medications slowlyCheck to be sure each medication swallowedWatch for choking, call for help immediatelyIf problems persists, report to nurse

Topical Drugs

Topical drugs◦Cream◦Lotion◦Ointment◦Powder◦Transdermal patches

Equipment◦Gauze, cotton ball◦Washcloth, towel◦Tongue blade, cotton-tipped applicator◦Gloves, finger cot

administration

Provide privacy Wear gloves Position person (exposed application site) Cleanse application site- will need to remove old application, you need to

rotate application site (nitroglycerine ointment & all transdermal’s) May need to shake lotion bottle, pour onto cotton ball, plastic cup or

gauze pad Use tongue blade to remove cream from jar It tube, squeeze small amount onto gauze pad Apply agent in thin layer, in direction of hair growth with firm gentle

strokes Use gloved hand to apply powder in thin, even coverage Do not rub or massage nitroglycerine ointment into skin; write date, time,

your name on tape securing new application; document application site Transdermal disk or patch- similar to nitroglycerine application; date &

initial the patch prior to removing the plastic backing, place exposed side of patch to skin, press firmly in place

Apply clean gloves once the site has been cleaned, prior to applying the new cream or patch

If excess body hair is present, clip the hair close to the skin, but don’t shave it

Eyes, ear, nose, and inhaled drugs

◦Opthalmic drops◦Opthamic ointment◦Otic drops◦Nasal drops◦Nasal sprays metered-dose inhaled medication

Equipment ◦Gauze pads, cotton balls◦Washcloth◦Tissues◦Gloves

administration

Eye◦ Position person properly (supine, sitting, Fowler’s position; head

tipped back)◦ Remove eye secretions with saline & guaze pads or washcloth folded

into fourth’s (clean inner aspect to outer)starting with the eye farthest away from you

◦ Give eye drops at room temperature◦ Don’t allow container to touch eye, face, etc.◦ Apply ordered number of drops 1/2-3/4 inch above conjunctival sac◦ Drops-remind that will cause burning or blurriness◦ If 1 kind-wait 1 min between drops-if more then 1 kind wait 1-5 min◦ Ointment-remind that will cause blurriness◦ Waste a small amt. on a tissue to ensure ointment is not

contaminated◦ Squeeze ointment in strip fashion into conjunctival sac from inner to

outer aspect◦ Have person close eye after application◦ Use tissue to blot excess- do not rub or wipe

Cont…

Ear◦ Give ear drops at room temperature◦ Position in side lying position (affected ear up)◦ Remove excess cerumen with wet washcloth◦ Pull adult ear upward and back◦ Insert cotton plug loosely into ear if ordered; have person remain

on side for 5-10 minutes-may switch to other side after 5 min Nasal

◦ Tell patient medication may cause burning or stinging feeling◦ Have them blow their nose prior to using the spray-unless has a

head injury or surgery or has had nasal surgery◦ Position: drops- supine head over edge of mattress; or place a

rolled up towel under the neck area spray- sitting or semi-fowler’s –block the opposite nostril that’s

being sprayed Have take a deep breath as the spray is squeezed into the nose

Remind person not to blow nose after application for several minutesDo not dispose of clip

Cont….

Inhaled◦ Follow manufacture’s directions with dry powder via dispenser◦ Give broncho-dilator before cortico-steroid◦ Check inside inhaler for foreign matter◦ Shake canister-have take 2 deep breaths-hold the canister about 1”

from the mouth◦ Have person exhale, squeeze dispenser on the count of 3 while

inhaling deeply, slowly 3-5 seconds◦ Have person hold breath for at least 10 seconds, exhale slowly◦ Person may use spacer if unable to follow directions well-this can be

placed in the mouth◦ Wait 1 min. before giving 2nd puff if it is the same drug◦ Wait 1-3 minutes before giving second inhaled drug if different◦ Have person rinse mouth after inhaling cortico-steroid◦ Clean inhaler & spacer after administration ◦ Nep. tx’s can be done by a med aide if the person has been stable &

documented as such for a period of 6 mo.’s without any problems or complications

Vaginal and Rectal Drugs

Drug forms◦Creams◦Gels◦Tablets◦Foams◦Suppositories

Equipment◦Applicator◦Water-soluble lubricant◦Pillow◦Perineal pad or panty shield◦Gloves◦Paper towels, toilet tissue

How to administer

Follow standard precautions Provide privacy Insert rounded end of suppository first Administer drug at room temperature Vaginal drugs

◦ Have woman void◦ Position in lithotomy position◦ Spread labia to expose vagina◦ Apply perineal pad/panty shield after administration of drug◦ Remain supine, hips elevated 5-10 minutes

Rectal drugs◦ Have person move bowels (if possible)◦ Position in Sims’ position or left side lying◦ Raise upper buttocks to expose anus◦ Use lubrication such as KY gel◦ Insert toward the spine◦ Don’t leave the suppository in feces or it will not work◦ Remain in position 15-20 minutes