Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
ADMINISTRATION OF MIXTURES TO A HYPOACTIVE PATIENT
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a liquid form through the mouth to a less active, withdrawn or retarded patient.
Purpose
- Promote early recovery
- Prevent medication errors and minimize complications
Equipment
- A tray containing the following:
- Patient’s treatment chart
- Medicine cup(plastic)
- Plastic cup of water on a plastic saucer
- Disposable spoon
- Tissue paper
- Patient’s medication(s)
- Protective material
- Patient’s folder (Electronic/Manual)
- Assisting nurse(s)
Procedure steps
- Establish rapport (refer procedure) and explain procedure to the patient
- Identify and check for the rights of medication administration (e.g. right patient, right tablet(s), right to refuse, right documentation, etc.)
- Perform hand hygiene
- Prepare tray and send to patient’s bedside or appropriate place
- Check the prescription again with the medication
- Ask for patient’s co-operation
- Shake the bottle well
- Remove the cork and hold it with the little or ring finger
- Pick the medicine cup and with the thumb nail, mark the level of the measure to be taken
- Pour out the prescribed dose at eye level in bright light holding the bottle with the label uppermost( pour away excess mixture, never return it into the bottle)
- Replace the cork, read the label a third time, compare with patient’s treatment sheet and dose in the measuring cup
- Call patient by name in low voice
- Send mixture to where patient is seated with the medicine on a saucer (a teaspoon may be added for stirring if necessary)
- Suggest to and help patient to tilt head backwards and support the head with the help of another nurse
- Coax patient to open the mouth or gently try to open the mouth (be careful not to injure patient. Do not force the mouth open)
- Pour the mixture into patient’s mouth directing it to the back of the tongue
- Rub the front of the neck gently to stimulate the swallowing reflex and ensure that the patient swallows the mixture
- Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
- Clear tray and perform hand hygiene
- Sign the treatment chart and document procedure in nurses’ notes/ patient’s folder
- Observe patient for the effects of the medication and report
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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