"10 Rights" in Drug Administration

"10 Rights" in Drug Administration Ten Rights of Medication Administration (1) Right Patient - Identification Steps: 1. Check the patient's identification bracelet. 2. Ask the patient for their name and birth date. 3. Confirm the name on the medication label matches the patient’s identity. --- (2) Right Drug - Drug Verification Steps: 1. Ensure the drug order is complete and legible. 2. Check the drug label three times during the preparation process. 3. Verify the expiration date of the medication. 4. Understand the drug's action and indications. --- (3) Right Dose - Dosage Verification Steps: 1. Calculate the required drug dosage correctly. 2. Know the recommended dosage range for the medication. 3. Recalculate the dosage with a second nurse for verification if uncertain. --- (4) Right Time - Timing Administration Steps: 1. Administer medication at the specified time(s). 2. Document any delays or doses that were omitted. 3. Administer drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa with food. 4. For drugs that should not be taken with food, administer them 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. 5. Administer antibiotics at evenly spaced intervals (e.g., every 6 or 8 hours). --- (5) Right Route - Route Administration Steps: 1. Confirm the route of administration for the drug. 2. Utilize aseptic techniques when administering injections. 3. Document the injection site on the MAR (Medication Administration Record) or eMAR. --- (6) Right Documentation - Documentation Steps: 1. Initial the MAR or eMAR after drug administration. 2. Document reasons for any drugs not taken by the patient. 3. Note any delays in drug administration and the time it was given. --- (7) Right to Refuse Medication - Refusal Documentation Steps: 1. Document the time and date of the refusal along with the reason. 2. Notify the charge nurse and physician about the refusal. 3. Explain the purpose and expected therapeutic effect of the medication to the patient. 4. Record any factors related to the patient’s mental status that may have influenced the refusal. --- (8) Right Assessment - Assessment Steps: 1. Assess the safety of administering the ordered medication. 2. Check vital signs to ensure they are within safe limits for the medication. 3. Recognize that opioids can potentially decrease vital signs. 4. Assess the effects of the medications being administered. --- (9) Right Education - Patient Education Steps: 1. Educate the patient about the purpose(s) of their medications. 2. Address any questions the patient has regarding their medications. 3. Inform the patient about possible side effects of the medication being administered. --- (10) Right Evaluation - Evaluation Steps: 1. Evaluate the effects of the administered medication(s). 2. Document the effects on the MAR or eMAR. 3. Report to the healthcare provider if the medication was ineffective. 4. Evaluate for any adverse reactions resulting from the medication.