When using your pharmacology knowledge to give patients medications, don’t forget to use the Six Rights of Medication Administration every time. These six rights are a set of fundamental principles designed to ensure the safe and effective administration of medications.5
1. Right Patient: Verify the correct patient by checking their name, date of birth or hospital identification number, to lessen the chance of a medication error. Most health systems also require that you scan the barcode on the patient’s wristband as well as on the medication.
2. Right Medication: Confirm that the medication being administered is the one prescribed for the patient, including checking the patient’s allergies and the label against the prescription order. Also educate your patient on why they are being prescribed the medication. This will help reinforce your learning, too.
3. Right Dose: Ensure that the dosage being administered is appropriate for the patient based on factors such as age, weight and medical condition. Double-check calculations with a colleague, if necessary. For example: to give 1 gram of Tylenol (acetaminophen), you may need to administer two 500 mg tablets.
4. Right Route: Administer the medication using the correct route as prescribed by the healthcare provider. This could include oral (by mouth, or PO), intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SQ), topical (on the skin), or other routes. Administering medication via the wrong route can lead to ineffective treatment or adverse reactions. Some medications are safe to be crushed and mixed with food, whereas others are not. Be sure to double-check before doing so.
5. Right Time: Administer the medication at the correct time according to the prescribed schedule. Timeliness is crucial for maintaining therapeutic drug levels in the patient's system and ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment. However, some medications may have specific timing requirements, such as before meals or at bedtime, so it's essential to follow the prescribed schedule accurately.
6. Right Documentation: It's imperative to record each administration of medication immediately after the dose has been provided. Leave detailed notes of any side effects, missed doses, interactions with other medications, etc.
Adhering to these six rights every time helps minimize the risk of medication errors and promotes patient safety. Additionally, some healthcare settings may expand on these rights to include additional considerations, such as the right to refuse medication.6
If you are ever unsure about giving a medication, always stop and ask another nurse or pharmacist to help you through it. By following these tips for studying pharmacology and staying dedicated to your studies, you can work to master this knowledge area in your nursing education.
