LTM English Language

Name : Deri Wilasa

NPM : 1306489110

Class : A ekstensi

Medication

A drug is a chemical substance intended for use in the diagnosis,

treatment, cure, or prevention of a disease. Medications are substances prescribed

by the client’s health care practitioner to help in the treatment, relief, or cure of

the cause of the client’s health alteration or in the prevention of an alteration.

Medication management requires the collaborative efforts of many health care

providers. Nurses are responsible for administering medications.

Individual client characteristics such as genetic factors, age, height and

weight, and physical and mental conditions can influence the action of drugs on

the body. Sometimes mistaken for drug allergies, genetic factors can interfere

with drug metabolism and produce an abnormal sensitivity to certain drugs.

Medication administration requires specialized knowledge, judgment, and

nursing skill based on the principles of pharmacology. The nursing process is used

to direct nursing decisions relative to safe drug administration and to ensure

compliance with standards of practice.

The health care practitioner determines the therapeutic drug plan and

conveys the plan to others by initiating orders or a prescription. In health care

settings (longterm care facilities and hospitals), medication orders are written on a

health care practitioner’s order form.

Parts of the Drug Order

All orders should be written clearly and legibly, and the drug order should contain

seven parts:

1. The name of the client

2. The date and time when the order is written

3. The name of the drug to be administered

4. The dosage

5. The route by which it is to be administered and special directives about its

administration

6. The time of administration and frequency

7. The signature of the person writing the order, such as the physician or

advanced practice registered nurse

Drug prescriptions written in settings other than acute care facilities may also

specify whether the generic or trade name of the drug is to be dispensed, the

quantity to be dispensed, and how many times the prescription can be refilled.

Nurses must administer numerous drugs daily in a safe and efficient

manner. The nurse should administer drugs in accord with nursing standards of

practice and agency policy. The safe storage and maintenance of anadequate

supply of drugs are other responsibilities of the nurse. The nurse documents the

actual administration of medications on the medication administration record.

Professional standards, such as the American Nurses Association's Nursing:

Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice (2004), Potter Perry (2009), can be applied to

the activities of drug administration. To prevent medication errors, follow the "six right"

on drug delivery consistently every time the nurse gave the medication. "Six right" on

drug delivery include :

1. Right drug

2. Right Dose

3. Right Client

4. Right Route

5. Right Time

6. Correct Documentation

A critical element of drug administration is documentation. The standard

is “if it was not documented it was not done.” Many drug errors can be avoided

with appropriate documentation. Usually there is a space available for a full

signature on the record. The nurse should document that a drug has been given

after the client has taken the drug.

Guidelines for Safe Administration of Medications

- Never administer medications that are prepared by another nurse. You are

responsible for a medication error if you administer a medication that was

inaccurately prepared by another nurse.

- Nurses should listen carefully to the client who questions the addition or

deletion of a medication. Most clients are aware of their prescribed

medications. If a client questions the drug or dose you are preparing to

administer, recheck the order.

- If a medication is withheld, indicate the exact reason why in the client’s

record. Legally nurse are accountable for giving ordered medications to

the client; however, circumstances may prevent nurse from giving a

medication as ordered.

- Do not leave medications at the client’s bedside for any reason. The client

may forget to take the medication, medications can accumulate, and the

client could take two or more of the same medication, causing an

overdose, or another client who is confused could take the medicine.

- Advise clients not to take medications belonging to others and not to offer

their medications to others. Medications are ordered for each client on the

basis of the history, physical examination, and effectiveness of the

medication.

References

Potter & Perry. (2009).Fundamental keperawatan (7 th ed.).(vols 2.). dr Adrina & marina, penerjemah). Jakarta : Salemba Medika.

DeLaune Sue C & Ladner Patricia K. 2002. Fundamental Of Nursing : Standards & Practice, 2nd Ed. Delmar-Thomson Learning