2.  Objectives

3.  After completing this chapter, you will be able to:  1-Describe legal aspects of administering medications.  2-Identify physiologic factors and individual variables affecting medication action.  3-Describe various routes of medication administration.  4-Identify essential parts of a medication order.

4.  5-List examples of various types of medication orders.  6-State systems of measurement that are used in the administration of medications.  7-List six essential steps to follow when administering medication.  8-Describe physiologic changes in order adults that alter medication administration and effectiveness.  9-Outline steps requires to administer oral medications safely.

5. Definition  A medication is a substance administered for the diagnosis, cure, treatment, or relief of a symptom or for prevention of disease.

6.  The administration of drugs in both the United States and Canada is controlled by law.  Nurses need to  (a) know how nursing practice acts in their areas define and limit their functions,  (b) be able to recognize the limits of their own knowledge and skill.

7.  The 1-therapeutic effect of a drug,  2-A side effect, or  3-secondary effect, effects or reactions.  4-Drug allergy.  5- Allergic reaction.

8.  Oral.  Sublingual.  Buccal.  Perenteral.  Subcutaneous.  Intramuscular.  Intradermal.  Intravenous.  Topical.

14.  Some of the less commonly used routes for parenteral administration are intra-arterial (into an artery), intracardiac, intraosseous (into a bone), intrathecal or intraspinal (into the spinal canal), intrapleural (into the pleural space), epidural (into the epidural space), and intra-articular (into a joint).

15.  Medication orders  Types of medication orders  Essential parts of a drug order  Systems of measurement  1-the metric system,  2-the apothecaries’ system, and the 3- household system,.

16.  Calculating dosages  Several formulas can be used to calculate drug dosages. One formula uses ratios:  = Dose on hand = Desired dose  Quantity on hand Quantity desired (x)

17.  Then the nurse cross multiplies:  250x=5mlx500mg  X=5mlx500mg  250mg  X=10ml  Therefore, the dose ordered is 10ml,the nurse can also use the formula to calculate dosages:

18.  Practice guidelines  Medication dispensing systems  Process of administering medications.  The rights of medication administration

19.  BermanAudry,SyndeShirleeJ.,KozierBarbara& Erb Clenora. Kozier& Erb Fundamentals of Nursing Concept,Process &Practice.2008,8 th ed.Pearson Prenticeb Hall,New Jersy.ISBN013- 224355-5

20. Good Luck