administering medcation

1. ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS
WITHIN GUIDELINES

2. One of the most important duties of
a home caregiver is the
administration of medicine to the
patient. He/she should be careful in
giving medicine. He/ she must follow
the doctor’s ionstructions very
carefully as this can affect the
patient’s speedy recovery or
worsening condition.

3. SEVEN RIGHTS TO
REMEMBER
DIRECTIONS IN
GIVING MEDICINE

4. PATIENT
Refers to the patient’s
condition and his/her
capability and willingness to
take the medicine given. The
patient should be aware as
well as understand why
medicine is being
administered to him/her.

5. DRUG/MEDICINE
Refers to the kind of
medicine to be
administered. It is the
right of the patient to
know what medicine
he/she taking and why.

6. DOSE
Refers to the
amount or
quantity of
medicine to be
administered.

7. TIME
Refers to the
proper time the
medicine is to be
administered.

8. ROUTE
Refers to the channel in
which medicine is to be
administered. Is it by
mouth, by intramuscular
injection, intravenous
injection, or by topical
means.

9. REASON
Knowing the reason why
the medicine is being
given makes it easy to
administer the medicine
for the caregiver to give
and for the patient to
accept.

10. DOCUMENTATION
Putting into records all details
relating to what medicine, how
much, when, and to whom it is
administered is important to
assessment and future
references to a doctor, the
caregiver, the family, and the
patient.

11. PREPARATIONS IN
GIVING MEDICINES

12. Prepare:
1. A small tray
2. A glass of water
3. The prescribed drug
4. A spoon/ medicine cups
5. Pen and paper

13. TYPES OF MEDICINE

14. A. TABLET, CAPSULES, AND
PILLS
Capsules are
designed to
dissolve in the
stomach, which is
why they should
not be opened.

15. B. LIQUID MEDICINES
Never mix the medicine
with a glass of beverage
because the medicine
could sink at the bottom
of the glass and the
patient may not receive
the right amount required.

16. C. OINTMENT
It is generally applied to
the skin. It has a base
substance such as fat or
greasy substances like
petroleum jelly. It is applied
directly to the affected part
of the body as directed by
the doctor.

17. D. POWDER
It can be mixed with
something sweet such as
peanut butter or jam and
sometimes, it can be
mixed with a little amount
of juice or milk before
giving it to the patient.

18. E. BACK RUB
The medicine is simply
applied on the back using
the palms in circular motion.
The heat generated by the
ointment and the circular
motions of the palms give a
soothing effect which
relieves the pain.

19. APPLYING EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES TO ENSURE
SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND
WORKERS

20. If you are attending to a motionless
person, check responsiveness.
• If head or neck injury is
suspected, move only if
absolutely necessary.
• Tap or gently shake the
victim’s shoulder.
• Shout near the victim’s ear,
“Are you okay?:”

21. Activate the emergency system for
help
Ask a bystander to call the
local emergency telephone
number. If alone, shout for
help.If no one comes quickly,
call the emergency telephone
number.

22. Roll person onto back
Gently roll the victim’s
head, body, and legs
over the same time. Do
this without further
injuring the victim.

23. Open airway (use head-tilt/chin-lift
method)
If you suspect a neck injury, do
not move victim’s head or neck.
First, try lifting chin without tilting
the head back. If breaths do not
go in, slowly and gently tilt the
head back until breaths can go
in.

24. Check for breathing (take 3-5
seconds)
• Place your ear over victim’s
mouth and nose while
keeping the airway open.
• Look at the victim’s chest to
check for rise and fall;
listen and feel for
breathing.

25. Give two slow breaths
• Keep the head tilted back
with head-tilt/chin-lift to
keep airway open.
• Pinch nose shut.
• Take a deep breath and
seal your lips tightly around
the victim’s mouth.

26. Give two slow breaths
• Give two slow breaths,
each lasting 1 ½ to
2seconds (you should take
a breath after each breath
given to the victim). For a
child, give 1 to 1 ½
seconds breath.

27. Give two slow breaths
• Watch the chest rise to
see if your breaths go in.
• Allow for chest deflation
after each breath.

28. Check for pulse
• Maintain head-tilt with
hand nearest head or
forehead.
• Locate Adam’s apple
with 2 or 3 fingers of
hand.

29. Check for pulse
• Slide your fingers down
into the groove of neck
on side closest to you
(do not use your thumb
because you may feel
your own pulse.)

30. Check for pulse
• Feel for carotid pulse
(take 5-10 secs.) Carotid
artery is used because it
lies close to the heart and
is accessible.

31. Perform rescue procedure
based upon what you found.
• If there is a pulse but no
breathing, give one rescue
breath(mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation) every 5-6
seconds. For child, give one
breath every 3 seconds.

32. Perform rescue procedure
based upon what you found.
• Use the same technique for
rescue breathing found in step
6 but only give one. Every
minute (10-12 breaths), stop
and check pulse to make sure
there is a pulse. Continue until
the victims starts breathing on
his/her own.

33. END