Administering Eye Drops1.What instructions should the nurse give a client following the administration of prescribed eyedrops? Select all that apply.
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2.The nurse is administering eye drops to a client. Where should the nurse place the drops?
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3.Prior to the nurse administering eye drops to the client, what should the nurse do?
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4.The nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client. What purposes are commonlyassociated with instilling medications via eye drops? Select all that apply.
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5.The nurse is administering prescribed eye drops to a client. What action would cause the nurseto stop the administration?
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Administering Oral Medications1.The nurse is distributing afternoon medications to the clients. When removing a tablet from amulti-dose bottle, what should the nurse do first?
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2.When administering medications to a client, what information should the nurse know about themedication? Select all that apply.
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3.The nurse opens the multidose container of oxycodone. The nurse needs 1.5 tablets to deliverthe as needed dose, and the tablets in the container are not scored. What action by the nurse isbest?
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4.The nurse administers the client's scheduled morning medications. The previous dose ofantihypertensive was held due to a blood pressure that was too low according the health careprovider's parameters. What does the nurse do with this scheduled unit-dose packagedantihypertensive medication?
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5.A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client. While opening the unit dosepackage, the medication inadvertently falls on the floor. Which action by the nurse would bemost appropriate?
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6.The nurse has administered a client's medication. Which action would be most appropriate if theclient vomits immediately, or soon after administration?
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7.The nurse is in the client's room to administer the client's morning oral medications. Whichaction should the nurse take first?
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Liquid Medication Administration- Home
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- Liquid Medication Administration
How Do You Administer Liquid Medication?
Before you give your child any medication, check with your child's doctor. He / she will determine the correct dose for your child. Before you give a medication, make sure that you know:
- Name of the medicine
- Correct dosage (amount of medicine, often written as both the strength and volume)
- Time(s) of day to give medicine
- Number of days to continue the medicine
- Special instructions (example: give with food, give on an empty stomach, refrigerate)
- Side effects to watch for
- When to call the doctor if you have concerns
Liquid medications should be measured using either a syringe, medication cup or special medication spoon. Occasionally a medication will be packaged with a graduated dropper for measuring doses.
Teaspoons and tablespoons used at home are not accurate and should not be used to measure medication doses. Medication cups are useful when giving medication to older children.
Procedure
Measuring Liquid Medication
When measuring liquid medication, a milliliter equals a cubic centimeter (ml = cc).
Other frequently used conversions:
- ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL
- 1 teaspoon = 5 mL
- 1 tablespoon (or 3 teaspoons) = 15 mL
Medication Syringe Instructions
- Fill the syringe with the prescribed dosage of medicine. Remember to measure the dose by lining up the top of the black line of the plunger with the desired dose or number on the syringe. (Your nurse may mark the syringe for the correct dose.)
- Hold the syringe upright and gently tap the air bubbles toward the end.
- Push the plunger gently to force the air out of the end.
- Check that you have the correct amount of medication left in the syringe. Add more medication if needed. Squirt any extra medication back into the bottle if you have too much.
Medication Cup Instructions
- In order to accurately measure a dose of liquid medication, place the cup on a flat surface and keep your eye level with the cup.
- Pour slowly to the desired dose.
Medication Dropper Instructions
- To use the dropper, place the dropper in the bottle and squeeze the rubber top.
- Lift the dropper from the bottle and read the amount off the dropper.
- To get to the correct dosage, gently squeeze the top of the dropper until the medication is in line with the desired dose written on the dropper.
- Do NOT switch droppers from one medication to another. Often the dosing measurements can only be used for a specific medication.
- Do NOT use a dropper with a medication unless the dropper comes in the package with the medication.
Tips
- If you have special concerns about your child taking liquid medication, discuss your concerns with your child's doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not put your child's liquid medication into a bottle of formula or cup. If he / she does not drink the entire bottle or cup of liquid, you will not know how much of the medicine he/she has taken. Also, some medications may stick to the sides of the bottle or cup and then the child will not receive the full dose.
- Give all medication as instructed, for as long as instructed. Do not stop medications early unless instructed to do so by your physician.
- Do not skip doses. If you miss a dose of this medication, give it as soon as you remember it. However, it if is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular dosing schedule. Do not give a double dose to catch up.
Suggested Approaches to Ease the Administration of Medications
- For infants less than 4 months of age: Using an oral (needleless) syringe, squirt the medication slowly into the side or the back of the mouth. Have a pacifier or bottle of formula to use between and after medications.
- For infants 4 to 12 months of age: Above method or try a half ounce of diluted fruit juice or teaspoons of baby food given between or after medications.
- For children 12 months to 3 years:
- Fruit juice or cold milk between and after doses
- Popsicles
- Yogurt
- Chocolate pudding
- For children 3 years and older:
- Any of the above options
- Peanut butter – use only in children 4 years and older and use care to avoid choking
- Jelly
- Honey (never give honey to a child less than 1 year of age)
- Ice cream
- Pixy Stix – use only in children 6 years and older
- Ice chips – use only in children 6 years and older
- Life Savers or other hard candy – use only in children 6 years and older
Last Updated 08/2022
Reviewed By Leanna Darland, Pharmacist