Answers Latest Update 2026/2027
6. List the three checks and eight rights of administering medication.
a. Three checks:
b. Eight rights: - Answers a. Three checks: The medication label should be checked (1) when the
nurse reaches for the container; (2) after retrieval from the drawer and compared with the
CMAR, or compared with the CMAR immediately before pouring from a multidose container; and
(3) when replacing the container to the drawer or shelf or before giving the unit dose medication
to the patient.
b. Eight rights:
(1) right time
(2) right patient
(3) right medication
(4) right dosage
(5) right route
(6) right documentation
(7) right effect
(8) right education
Chemical name - Answers is the name of the medication that reflects its chemical composition
and molecular structure. (isobutylphenylpropanoic)
Generic name - Answers is the official or *non proprietary name the US adopted. Each
medication has only one generic name (ibuprofen).
name assigned by the manufacturer who first develops a drug; it is often derived from the
chemical name
Trade name - Answers is the brand or *proprietary* name the company that manufactures the
medication gives it. One medication can have multiple trade names (Advil, Motrin).
absorption: - Answers process by which drugs are transferred from the site of entry into the
body to the bloodstream
,adverse drug effect: - Answers undesirable effects other than the intended therapeutic effect of
a drug
allergic effect: - Answers immune system response that occurs when the body interprets an
administered drug as a foreign substance and forms antibodies against the drug
anaphylaxis: - Answers severe reaction occurring immediately after exposure to a drug;
characterized by respiratory distress and vascular collapse
antagonist effect: - Answers combined effect of two or more drugs that produces less than the
effect of each drug alone
cumulative effect: - Answers condition that occurs when the body cannot metabolize a drug
before additional doses are administered
distribution: - Answers movement of drugs by the circulatory system to the site of action
drug tolerance: - Answers tendency of the body to become accustomed to a drug over time;
larger doses are required to produce the desired effects
ethnopharmacology: - Answers study of the effect of ethnicity on responses to prescribed
medication, especially drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion
excretion: - Answers removal of a drug from the body
half-life: - Answers the amount of time it takes for half a dose of a drug to be eliminated from
the body
idiosyncratic effect: - Answers unusual, unexpected response to a drug that may manifest itself
by overresponse, underresponse, or response different from the expected outcome
inhalation: - Answers (1) act of breathing in; synonym for inspiration; (2) administration of a drug
in solution via the respiratory tract
intradermal injection: - Answers injection placed just below the epidermis
intramuscular injection: - Answers an injection into deep muscle tissue, usually of the buttock,
thigh, or upper arm
intravenous route: - Answers injection of a solution into the vein
metabolism: - Answers (1) chemical changes in the body by which energy is provided; (2)
breakdown of a drug to an inactive form; also referred to as biotransformation
mini-infusion pump: - Answers battery-operated pump for intermittent infusion allowing
medication mixed in a syringe to be connected to the primary line and delivered by mechanical
pressure applied to the syringe plunger
,official name: - Answers name by which a drug is identified in official publications
parenteral: - Answers outside of intestines or alimentary canal; popularly used to refer to
injection routes
pharmacodynamic: - Answers process by which drugs alter cell physiology and affect the body
pharmacokinetics: - Answers movement of drug molecules in the body in relation to the drug's
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
pharmacology: - Answers study of actions of chemicals on living organisms
pharmacotherapeutics: - Answers dynamic that achieves the desired therapeutic effect of the
drug without causing other undesirable effects
placebo: - Answers Latin word meaning, "I shall please"; an inactive substance that gives
satisfaction to the person using it
PRN order: - Answers "as needed" order for medication
stat order: - Answers single order carried out immediately
subcutaneous injection: - Answers injection into the subcutaneous tissue that lies between the
epidermis and the muscle
synergistic effect: - Answers combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the effect of
each drug alone
teratogenic: - Answers known to have potential to cause developmental defects in the embryo
or fetus
therapeutic range: - Answers that concentration of drug in the blood serum that produces the
desired effect without causing toxicity
toxic effect: - Answers specific groups of symptoms related to drug therapy that carry risk for
permanent damage or death
trade name: - Answers drug name selected and trademarked by the company marketing the
drug; also called brand name or proprietary name
trough level: - Answers the point when a drug is at its lowest concentration.
Normally ordered for patient's taking vacomycin, a blood level drawn 30 prior to the next dose.
vial: - Answers glass bottle with self-sealing stopper through which medication is removed; may
be single or multiple dose
, volume-control administration set: - Answers intermittent intravenous medication infusion
diluted with a small amount of solution
Z-track technique: - Answers technique used to administer medications intramuscularly that
ensures that the medication does not leak back along the needle track and into the
subcutaneous tissue, reducing pain and discomfort
Enteral (NGT) - Answers by way of intestine
(use when pt is unable to eat orally).
Nurse's Role while handling medications: - Answers - Competence in med admin
- Calculate dosages accurately
- ID patient in 2 ways
- Verify allergies
- 3 checks & 8 rights
- Pre & Post assessments
- APRN Prescriptive Authority.
Organizations for SAFE PRACTICE: - Answers • The Joint Commission (TJC )• Institute of Safe
Medication Practices (ISMP)• United States Pha r macopeia (U S P)•Institute of Medicine (IOM)•
The U. S . Food and Dr ug Administra tion (F DA)• Quality and Safety Education for
Nurses( QSEN )
Medication Errors: Causes - Answers - Failure to identify the patient
- Miscalculation of medication dosages
- Misuse of zeros and decimal points
- Failure to observe the 8 rights of med. admin.
- Inappropriate abbreviations
- Lack of info about the patient or the med.
- Distractions and Interruptions
*3 MOST COMMON:*
1. Heparin