Oral Drug Administration Procedure
PATIENT CARE WORKSHEET
• Wash hands before and after procedure in order to maintain aseptic technique
• After checking the order read the label three times while preparing the drug in order to
ensure accuracy and prevent errors.
• When removing tablets or capsule from a bottle pour the necessary number into the bottle
cap and then place the tablets in the medication cap.
• Pouring tablets or capsules into the health provider’s hands is unsanitary.
• Use the appropriate measuring device when pouring liquids and read the amount of
medication at eye level for accuracy purposes.
• Pour liquids from the side of bottle opposite the label in order to prevent liquid that may
drip onto the label and making it difficult to read.
• Place each medication in separate container.
• Prepackage single dose medications are opened at the patient bed side.
• Keep the medication card and drug together at all times.
• Go to the patient bed side ready for giving drug to the patient.
• Greet the patient and verify the patients name by asking the patient to state his /her name.
• In case of a child ask the mother or care taker to tell you the child’s name.
• Assist the patient to an upright position if necessary.
• If more than one drug is to be given at one time administering each one separately as this
promotes accuracy.
• Offer water or other permitted fluid with pills, capsules, tablets, and some liquid
medications. This will facilitate swallowing of solid drugs.
• Some liquid drugs are intended to adhere to the pharyngeal area, in which case, liquid is
not offered with the medication.
• Remain with the patient until each medication is swallowed.
• The health care provider should record that the drug has been administer, only after
seeing the patient has swallowed it.
• Since the patient’s chart is a legal record.
• Offer the patient fluid as necessary, especially if the drug tends to irritate mucosal.
• Fluids help to dissolve and dilute solid drugs.
• If the patient’s intake is measured, record the fluid the patient took with medication.
• This is important for determine the total fluid intake.
• Promptly record the medication given, refused or omitted in order to avoid the possibility
of accidently repeating the administration of the drug.