Administering Medications

Introduction

Administering medication can take on different forms and routes for both the healthcare professional and the patient. Routes of administration, or how the medicine is absorbed into the body, will vary widely for each patient and drug used. Patients need to fully understand how to administer their prescribed medication through order forms, descriptions, different types of packaging, and education.

 

Patients and Medication Usage

Some medications are now packaged so that they're convenient and discreet for patients to carry with them. Here are just a few examples:

• Oral contraceptives are packaged in a compact that's designed to remind the user to take the medication as prescribed.
• Insulin pens are a great way for patients to carry their insulin with them. The pen contains a vial of insulin. When patients need an injection, they just change the needle and dial in the amount of insulin needed on their pen. The needles are disposed of after each use. Once the insulin in the pen has been used, the whole pen is discarded and a new pen is used.
• Insulin pumps are another great way for patients to monitor and control their blood sugars in an easy, on-the-go style.

*The drug forms that a physician prescribes must be adjusted to take into account a patient's lifestyle and overall physical condition.

 

Each patient's medical record is considered a legal document. Therefore, every aspect of the patient's care, including medication and refill orders, should be documented.

Patients should be reminded to bring all medications in their original bottles to every appointment. This includes all prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, and all vitamin and herbal supplements.

Patients should be educated on all three of these types of medication. People tend to be more compliant when they have a better understanding of medications prescribed.

Patient's Medical Records

The following medical order information should be documented in the patient's medical record:

• Date, time, and name of medication
• Strength and amount of medication
• Directions for medication use
• Sample medications given

All medications must be included in a patient's medical record. Failure to include this information in the medical record could lead to potential drug interactions.

 

Key Points

• Drugs come in many dosage forms, which vary the rate and site of actions and the amount of medication delivered.
• When medication is administered using the oral route, it's taken by mouth and swallowed or taken through the nasogastric tube, where it's passed through the esophagus into the stomach.
• Drugs administered by the oral route may be affected by GI functions and have a slower onset of action because they must go through the GI tract to be absorbed.
• Using the percutaneous route, medications are applied to the skin or mucous membranes as topical preparations. Topical medications are applied directly to the body surface.
• Transdermal medications are absorbed through the skin using a form of topical application, such as a patch. Sublingual medications are tablets placed under the tongue to be dissolved by saliva and absorbed by mucous membranes.
• Inhalation medications are vapors or gases taken into the bloodstream via the lungs. 
• Parenteral medications are administered by injection and include: the intravenous (IV) route, the intramuscular (IM) route, the subcutaneous (SC) route, and the intradermal (ID) route.
• Some highly specialized injections are typically performed by a physician, including intracardiac (into the heart); intracavitary (into a body cavity); and intraspinal (into the subarachnoid space).
• Some medications are packaged to be convenient and discreet for the patient to carry, such as oral contraceptives, insulin pens, and insulin pumps.
• Each patient's medical record is a legal document; every aspect of a patient's care should be documented.