There are 5 rights that must be followed when administering medication: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. The right patient involves verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers. The right drug means using the correct medication. The right dose is giving the appropriate amount. The right route refers to how the drug is administered, such as orally. The right time means giving the medication at the correct intervals. Proper documentation is also important when giving medications.

1. 5 Rights of Medication

2. There are 5 Basic Rights of Medication Safety
Right Patient
Right Drug
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time

3. Right Patient
• You must be certain of the patients identity before
administering medication
• Check the patients wristband for two identifiers such as, MRN and
date of birth.
• Ask the patient to confirm name and date of birth
• Check if the patient has any allergies

4. Right Drug
• You must have a knowledge of the use, action, usual dose and side
effects of the medication being administered.
• You must check that the medication on the prescription chart is
clearly written
• Be aware of medication that is similar sounding or similar labelling
• You must check the expiry date of the medicine

5. Right Dose
• Consider if the dosage is appropriate, based on size, age, or vital
signs. E.g Digoxin not to be given if pulse below 60.
• Use of appropriate equipment if measuring liquid form
• If the dosage needs to be calculated, double check or have someone
verify the dosage
• Consider how long the patient need to take
the medication, and how many times a day.

6. Can you answer the following question?
Heparin is available as 4000 units / 5mL. What volume is needed to
give 20,000 units?
Answer: 25mL

7. Right Route
• If the route is not indicated on the chart,
check with the prescriber
• Routes for administering medications
include oral, parenteral, topical, rectal,
inhalation, sublingual or transdermal
• Consider if the medication can be crushed
e.g Glipizide – Slow release

8. Right Time
• The medication must be given at the correct time, frequency, and
duration
• Timing of doses of medication can be critical for maintaining specific
therapeutic blood levels (e.g antibiotics)and avoiding interactions
with other medications
• Timing of Parkinson’s medications is critical in controlling symptoms,
such as; freezing, hallucination, confusion, low BP, and inability to
move or speak.
• Consider whether medication needs to be taken before or after a
meal

9. Documentation
• Clear accurate documentation is vital when
administering medication.
• Check illegible, incomplete or ambiguous
documentation

10. Summary
When setting up or administering medications always:
Avoid distractions and interruptions
Double check whenever there is a concern or question
Encourage patients to be actively involved
Use clear documentation
Communicate clearly
Never administer medication unless you are 100% sure you know
what it is
Report and learn from errors