Component Task: Administration of Oral Medication

This is the process of administering medication to a child through the mouth with the aid of a spoon, a measuring cap or graduated device. The nurse is expected to demonstrate competencies in safe administration of medication.

Aims

·         Prevent ill health

·         Treat disease condition

·         Restore health

·         Prevent complications

Requirements

A tray containing the following items:

·         Oral medication

·         Spoon/granulated device or measuring cap

·         Water/fruit juice (optional)

·         Drinking cup

·         Tissue paper

·         Saucer/small plate

·         Vomit bowl

·         Treatment chart

Steps

1.        Support child/caregiver to assume a comfortable position

2.      Perform five (5) moments of hand hygiene

3.      Establish rapport (refer steps)

4.      Explain procedure to child/caregiver (refer steps)

5.      Incorporate developmentally appropriate strategies in dealing with the child

6.      Verify the medication order with the child’s medical records

7.       Provide privacy

8.      Observe the Rights of Medication administration:

·         Right medication

·         Right dosage

·         Right child

·         Right time

·         Right route

·         Right reason

·         Right of child/caregiver to refuse medication

·         Right documentation

9.      Set and send tray to bed side of child

10.    Inspect child’s mouth and ensure it is clean with no obstructions

11.      Ask child/caregiver about medication/allergy history and intervene as necessary

12.    Check the accuracy of the dose to be given to child against the medication order

13.    Administer dosage as prescribed

·         Suspension

ü  Reconstitute (powder form) with the required amount of clean water

ü  Shake until totally mixed

ü  Pour prescribed amount at eye level into measuring device

ü  Administer to child in sitting up position

ü  Observe child swallowing the medication

·         Syrup

ü  Shake until totally mixed

ü  Pour prescribed amount at eye level into measuring device

ü  Administer to child in sitting up position

ü  Observe child swallowing the medication

·         Tablet (Oral)

ü  Crush/dissolve with required amount of clean water for easy swallowing

ü  Break tablet into small component and serve with clean water for easy swallowing

ü  Place whole tablet on a spoon/measuring cup and serve on a saucer with clean water if tolerable to child

ü  Observe child swallowing the medication

·         Tablet (sublingual)

ü  Place sublingual tablet under the tongue

ü  Inform child/caregiver to keep child’s mouth closed

ü  Instruct child not to swallow

ü  Observer under the tongue for the total absorption of medication

14.    Serve fruit juice with/after medication if pharmacologically acceptable

15.    Observe for desired effects and adverse reactions to medication, intervene accordingly

16.    Serve vomit bowl if necessary/keep within reach of child/caregiver

17.    Discard tray and clean used items

18.    Express gratitude to child/caregiver for cooperation

19.    Document procedure in the nurse’s notes