nursing syllabus procedure

1. ORAL MEDICATION
DEFINITION:
Oral medications are defined as the administration of medication
by mouth and ensuring that patient swallows the medicine.
PURPOSE:
 To prevent the disease.
 To cure the disease.
 To promote the health.
 To give palliative treatment.
 To give as a symptomatic treatment.

2. NURSES RESPONSIBILITY IN ADMINISTRATION OF
ORAL MEDICATION:
1.Check the diagnosis and age of the patient.
2.Check the purpose of medication.
3.Check the identification of the patient-the name and bed
number.
4.Check the physician's orders for the correct name of the drug,
dosage and method of administration.
5.Check the nurse record for the time at which the last dose was
given.
6.Check for any contraindications present in the patient for an
oral intake of the medicines such as nausea, vomiting
unconsciousness, etc.
7.Check the character of the drug- whether it can be taken safely
by the oral method.
8.Check the form of the drug available and the correct method
of administration.
9.Check the level of consciousness of the patient and ability to
follow instructions.
10. Check the abilities and limitations in swallowing the
medications.

3. EQUIPMENT: A trolley /clean tray containing:
A clean bowl/medicine cup.
Ounce glass, dropper teaspoon to measure the medicine.
Drinking water in a feeding cup.
Mortar and pestle to crush and powder the tablet if necessary.
Duster/towel to wipe the outside of the bottle after pouring the
medicine ordered.
Kidney tray and paper bag to discard the waste.
Medicine cards to write the medication order from patients
order sheet.

4. PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT:
Explain the procedure to the patient. Tell the advantages,
needs of medication.
If patient is allowed to sit, assist him to sit.
Never give medication in flat position as there is a danger of
aspiration of drug and fluid when swallowed.
Give a mouth wash, if necessary.
If medication is ill tasting, prepare a drink to mask the taste of
the medication.
Protect the bed clothes and garments with a towel placed
under the chin across the chest.

5. PROCEDURE:
Keep the patient comfortable at bed.
Arrange the articles at the bedside.
Identify patient by name and check the name board at bedside.
Check the nurse's record to find out when last drug was
administered.
Check for special instructions and check vital signs if needed.
Select medicine from patient's locker and check medication
label thrice.
Encourage patient to sit-up and make sure medicines are
swallowed.
First give little water to moisten the mouth and then give
medicine one at a time.
Stay with the patient until the medicine has been swallowed;
give him a drink of water after it.

6. AFTERCARE OF THE PATIENT AND EQUIPMENT:
Remove the towel and wipe the face with it.
Position the patient for good body alignment.
Take all articles to the utility room.
Wash and dry all articles and replace them in their proper
place.
Wash hands.
Record medications given in medication sheet and also nurses
record.
Record any reaction observed after the administration of the
drug.
Report any reaction to the ward sister and doctor incharge.

7. CONTRAINDICATIONS
 Continuous vomiting.
 Gastric or intestinal suction.
 Unconscious patient.
 Patient who are unable to swallow.
 Patient on nil per oral.
ADVANTAGES
 This method is safe and convenient.
 It is effective method.
 There is no pain while administering the drug.
 Allergic reaction are very less.
DISADVANTAGES
 Sometime patient may not swallow the medicine.
 It may irritate the gastric mucosa and cause vomiting or
diarrhoea.