Title: Identify basic guidelines for administering medications.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Examining Administration of Prepared Instillations and Treatments

Identification may include

- knowing why a client is receiving the medication
- knowing the medication delivery system
  - vials
  - blister pack
  - unit dose
  - multidose
- verifying each medication order

- written physician’s order
- MAR
- knowing the types of medication orders
  - routine
  - PRN– from the Latin phrase pro re nata, which translates to “as the situation demands”
  - single dose
  - stat– pursuant to § 22VAC40-73-680(N)(2), registered medical assistant (RMA) may not administer
- giving only medications ordered by an authorized prescriber
- reading the pharmacist’s label three times
- never giving a medication if there is any question about the order
- never giving a medication if its normal appearance has been altered
- always checking for allergies
- taking vital signs per provider order
- practicing aseptic technique
- checking the expiration date on the pharmacy label (not the manufacturer’s label)
- staying with a client until oral medication has been safely swallowed
- documenting in the MAR, per facility protocol.

Identification may also include

- preparing to pass medication (i.e., med-pass)

- following facility protocol
- stocking the cart per facility protocol
- following the rights of medication administration

- knowing medication administration times

- not earlier than one hour before and not later than one hour after dosing time, pursuant to § 22VAC40-73-680(C)
- confirmation of administration time window with facility protocol.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Who clarifies the medication order if there is a question?
- What are common auxiliary labels affixed to containers?
- Why is it important to check allergies before administering medications?
- What is the importance of the MAR?
- What type of medication should never be crushed?
- What would be the outcome of crushing an enteric-coated tablet? An extended-release tablet?