EQUIPMENT
Medication Mediaction Kardex or Sterile syringe and needle (size
Alcohol swab computer-generated MAR depends on medication being
Dry sponge administered and patient)
Disposable gloves
ACTION RATIONALE
1. Assemble equipment and check This ensures that the patient receives
the physician's order. the right medication at the right time
by the proper route.
2. Explain procedure to patient. Explanation encourages cooperation
and alleviates apprehension.
3. Perform hand hygiene. Hand hygiene deters the spread of
microorganisms
4. If necessary, withdraw medication
from an ampule or vial as
described in Skills 29-2 and 29-3
5. Do not add air to the syringe. Adding air to the syringe is potentially
dangerous and may result in an over-
dose of medication
6. Identify the patient carefully. There Identifying the patient is the nurse's
are three correct ways to do this: responsibility to guard against error.
a. Check the name on the patient's a. This is the most reliable method.
identification bracelet. Replace the identification band if it
is missing or inaccurate in any way.
b. Ask the patient his or her name. b. This requires an answer from the
patient, but illness and strange
surroundings often cause patients
to be confused.
c. Verify the patient's identification c. This is another way to double-
with a staff member who knows check identity. Do not rely on the
the patient. name on the door or over the bed,
because these may be inaccurate.
7. Provide for privacy. Have the Injection into a tense muscle causes
patient assume a position appro- discomfort.
priate for the site selected.
a. Ventrogluteal: The patient may lie
on the back or side with the hip
and knee flexed.