Dave Manriquez reflects on his experience administering medications to patients. He discusses adjusting to the facility's computerized medication administration system, which is more organized and high-tech than the paper system used in school. While initially concerned about using the new system, he found it was handy and helped prevent errors. He also appreciated his instructor's calm guidance, which helped him feel comfortable working at his own pace. Going forward, he plans to be better prepared by researching patient diagnoses and medications more in advance.

1. Student Name: Dave Jay S. Manriquez Date: January 10, 2016
Class Number: 201509
Clinical Instructor: Catherine Overton
Reflection Medication Administration
Describe the situation:
I am assigned to give medications to my patients. In giving medications, I need to be on
top of the situation. I need to research on the patient’s diagnosis and try to understand why a
particular medication is ordered. I need to know the classification and action of the medication and
what particular assessment I need to check prior to giving the medication. After giving the
medication, I also need to check on the patient if there are any side effects related to the drug. We
need to give medication using the computerize system use by the facility. Great adjustment for me
and my instructor to learn and fully utilize the effectiveness of this technology.
Analysis of the thoughts and feelings regarding the situation:
It is not my first time to give medication in my entire life, so for me I am just trying to
bring back that feeling and reworking on my previously learned skills. But the situation as of now
is entirely different from what I learned before. I can see that the system being utilize in giving the
medication is really organize, it is quite high-tech with the involvement of the computerize system.
Also is it different from what I learned in school where we utilize the paper system. So on my part
and to my instructor as well, we need to adjust and adapt what is being practice and use in the
facility. To be honest I am not scared, in fact I am so excited to function as a nurse again and give
medication. I am excited to use the new system, and I found out that using the computer is much
handy and less prone to committing an error. At first, I am a little bit concern on how I will do my
3 checks on the computer but latter on I started to adjust and learn the system. I am also happy that
our instructor are guiding us to be successful on our first attempt in giving medication. I noticed
that she is so calm, not pressuring and disturbing us, making us feel that we can work on our own
pace but still being mindful on the time. For me this is really important because as a student and
still learning we need to be focus on the task to prevent errors which can be vital on the patient
life.
Relevant of the knowledge:
It is important to identify the drug actions correctly, this already include its classification,
use, dosage, side effects, and its nursing implications. Prior to giving the medication it is also
important to know what assessment need to be done if there’s any to know if the medication is
needed by patient or not. After giving the medication it is also important to assess for any adverse
effect related to the drug. Doing a research on each drug will also give us the upper hand to
understand why a particular drug is ordered for the patient. Knowing all of this give us a perfect
idea how the drugs works on the person receiving it and what to expect. With the research I did on
the patient diagnosis it allows me to connect the drugs being ordered to which conditions it is used
to treat on. Following the general checklist for Medication Administration help me to be competent
and confident in not making an error. Doing a preliminary check on the medication and the patient

2. involve; doing 3 checks before pouring, during pouring, and after pouring; and doing 2 identifiers
will surely give us a successful result in medication administration. The knowledge and skills that
I acquired during the lab integration is very helpful as it gives me the idea on how to apply the
medication to the patient. With the knowledge and help of my instructor it boost my confidence
plus the knowledge and skills that I had previously learned, all in all I think that was a successful
medication administration.
What do I learn? (Right thinking AHA!)
I learned that using the computerize system in giving medication makes life more easily
for the nurse. Yes, at first it might be hard but once you learn how to navigate the system everything
comes so easily. Unfortunately we don’t have the scanner so we need to sign off every drug
manually which for me is fine because we can do our final check to know if everything is done
correctly. With the system that the facility is using where you give medications to only one patient
at time also help in preventing medication error. This prevent mix up of medications from one
patient to another. It is also important to do a preliminary check using the data and information
found in the computer for a particular patient. It is important to look on their picture, watch for
any allergies, read its diagnosis, and watch for any special instructions on how the patient wants
to receive their medications. It is also important to check the time when a medication supposed to
be given to prevent delays and miss dosage. It is important to check the expiry, any discontinue
medications, high alert medications, vital signs to be taken, and instructions to be added in writing.
On the pack itself: it is important to check on the quantity; the color, shape, and size; and the
dosage to be given. During administration it is also important to identify the patient, to see if the
patient is really taking the medications, and also you need to explain to the patient how to take the
medication especially having a puffer.
What should I do next time?
I think I need to be more prepare and organize the next time I will be assign in giving the
medications. I think next time we will have more patient assignment and more medications to
give, it is really a daunting task ahead but I think I can do it with good preparation and with the
help as well of my instructor. By now, I already have the idea on how to navigate and use the
system so I am no longer anxious and can focus more on what I am doing. I think next time I just
need to be confident on myself and I need also to increase my pace faster enough in order for me
to give the medications on time and not delay. I think I just need to be mindful of the time and I
am good. I need also to research more on the diagnosis and medications of my assign patients.