Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
ADMINISTRATION OF MIXTURES TO AN OVERACTIVE PATIENT
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a liquid form through the mouth to an overactive patient. This is a common but important clinical procedure to treat and prevent illness.
Purpose
- Promote early recovery
- Prevent medication errors and minimize complications
- As an alternative to injections
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.)
- Get patient seated at a convenient place if possible
- Perform hand hygiene
- Prepare tray and send to where patient is or follow patient with the drug
- Check the prescription again with the medication
- 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 or follow patient with the medicine on a saucer (a teaspoon may be added for stirring if necessary)
- Ask patient to open the mouth and pour the mixture in (still following him/her if necessary)
- Continue coaxing the patient to take the medication if he/she refuses to take it
- Employ other nurses to assist if all measures prove futile
- Remain with the patient until the medication is swallowed
- 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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