AES - Unit 3
What 2 forms of identification do you use to ensure the medication is given to the right patient?
- Name - Birthday
Factors that may affect dosage
- Weight (typical adult dose around 150lbs) - Age (typical adult dose between 20-60 years) - The presence of kidney disease - The presence of more than one disease - The severity of a disease - A patient's medical history and allergies - A patient who is pregnant or breastfeeding
Prescription drugs require
- trade name - generic name - NDC (National Drug Code)
You should do what before administering medication to a patients?
-Check the patient's drug allergies -Read the physician's medication order -Read the medication label
6 "Rights" of Drug Administration
1) Right patients 2) Right Drug 3) Right Dose 4) Right Route 5) Right Time 6) Right Documentation
What size/gauge needle (range) is used for intramuscular injections?
1-3" and 20-23G
At what angle are intradermal injections given?
10-15 degree angle
At what angle is a subcutaneous injection given?
45 degrees
At what angle should a intramuscular injection be given?
90 degrees
An expiration date but be printed on (Over the counter/Prescribed) medication labels
Both
Why should diabetics rotate the site of insulin injection?
Damaged skin inhibits insulin absorption
Intramuscular Injection sites
Each site has special positions and shuld be treated with caution -Deltoid: For a deltoid administration, patient can remain seated. -Gluteus medius: These patients should lie in the prone position or lean over the exam table. -Vastus lateralis: These patients should lie in the horizontal recumbent position.
What is the purpose of aspiration in administering an injection?
Ensures that the needle is not in a blood vessel
T/F Medical assistants can administer IV's.
False
T/F You should massage the area after using the Z-track method of injection
False
T/F It is best to tell an anxious patient that the injection you are about to administer will be painless
False; you should be honest about the pinch
What should you do if you need to administer an injection to a fidgety two-year-old?
Get assistance holding the child still
Why must a needle never be recapped after use?
High risk of accidental needlestick
Where should oral medications be prepared?
In the room where the medication is stored
Why must a filter needle be used when withdrawing medication from an ampule?
It will prevent glass from being drawn into the syringe
What are two of the most common IV equipment complications?
Loose and kinked tubing
After administering a medication, what should you do as an MA?
Monitor the patient for adverse reactions
On a syringe, what is the name of the plastic rod that is used to draw and push out medication?
Plunger
A patients should be places in what position when entering a rectal suppository?
Sim's (In this position, the patient lies on the side with the top leg bent sharply in front of the bottom leg)
How can an air bubble be expelled from a syringe?
Tap barrel and push plunger to release
How should topical medications be administered?
Topical drugs should be administered to the patient with a sterile tongue depressor or cotton swab. Medication should be applied with GENTLE STROKES to avoid irritating the affected area.
T/F The higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter
True
T/F The site of an intramuscular injection should be massaged and aspirated
True
T/F: You should never let prepared medications out of your sight
True
When can water be offered after the administration of oral medications?
Water should be offered as long as it does not interfere with the drug effects.
When applying transdermal patches, the MA should do what to avoid medication reaching their skin-
Wear gloves
Intravenous (IV) injections
administered directly into a vein
Intradermal (ID) injections
administered into the dermal layer of the skin
Intramuscular (IM) injections
administered into the muscular tissue below the skin.
Subcutaneous (SC) injections
administered just below the dermal layer of skin.
Intradermal injection sites
anterior forearm and middle of the back, where the skin is thin
MA's do monitor vital signs of patients connected to an IV, including-
blood pressure and respirations
barrel of a syringe
cylinder marked with measurement calibrations and holds the medication
Subcutaneous Injection sites
deltoid area of the arms, either side of the umbilicus, the mid- and lower-back, or the thigh
What size/gauge needle (range) is use for subcutaneous injections?
length is 1/2" to 5/8", with a gauge of 23 to 27 gauge
What size/gauge needle (range) is used for intradermal injections?
length is 3/8'' or 5/8'' of a 26 or 27 gauge
flange of a syringe
rim used for guiding the needle
The higher the gauge number on the needle the _____ the diameter
smaller
Z-track method
subcutaneous tissue is held to the side during administration. The tissue is released after the needle is removed and the shifting tissue blocks the medication from leaking out of the muscle. Z-track administrations are not massaged.
Hub of a needle
the element that attaches the needle to the syringe
Bevel of a needle
the flat, slanted end of the needle
plunger of a syringe
the plastic rod with a rubber stopper that fits inside the barrel
tip of a syringe
the point where the needle is attached to the syringe
Intravenous injections
use a syringe and needle set to administer a small amount of medication directly into a vein
intravenous line
used to administer a large amount of fluid or medication over a long period of time, drop by drop.