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Pharmacology Study & Practice Guide – Medication Safety & Basics
Author: Kevin Begay — Nursing Tutor & Study Coach
Study Summary
Medication safety is one of the most critical responsibilities of nursing practice. It ensures
that patients receive the correct drug, at the correct dose, by the correct route, at the correct
time, for the correct patient, and for the correct reason.
The Six Rights of Medication Administration:
1. Right patient – Confirm patient identity using at least two identifiers.
2. Right medication – Verify drug name and formulation before administration.
3. Right dose – Check calculation accuracy and dose appropriateness.
4. Right route – Ensure the ordered route matches the prescribed form.
5. Right time – Follow prescribed frequency and timing relative to meals.
6. Right documentation – Record immediately after administration.
High-Alert Medications:
Certain drugs such as insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, and chemotherapeutic agents require
independent double-checks due to their narrow therapeutic index and high risk of harm.
Error Prevention Strategies:
- Follow standardized medication administration policies.
- Clarify unclear orders with prescribers.
- Use bar-code scanning when available.
- Educate patients about their medications.
- Report and learn from near misses.
Practice Questions
1. Which “right” is violated when a nurse gives a medication at the wrong time but to the
correct patient and in the correct dose?
A. Right route
B. Right time
C. Right medication
D. Right dose
2. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin 0.125 mg but notes the patient’s pulse is 48 bpm.
What is the best action?
A. Give the dose as ordered
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Reduce the dose by half
D. Record it and reassess in one hour
Pharmacology Study & Practice Guide – Medication Safety & Basics
Author: Kevin Begay — Nursing Tutor & Study Coach
Study Summary
Medication safety is one of the most critical responsibilities of nursing practice. It ensures
that patients receive the correct drug, at the correct dose, by the correct route, at the correct
time, for the correct patient, and for the correct reason.
The Six Rights of Medication Administration:
1. Right patient – Confirm patient identity using at least two identifiers.
2. Right medication – Verify drug name and formulation before administration.
3. Right dose – Check calculation accuracy and dose appropriateness.
4. Right route – Ensure the ordered route matches the prescribed form.
5. Right time – Follow prescribed frequency and timing relative to meals.
6. Right documentation – Record immediately after administration.
High-Alert Medications:
Certain drugs such as insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, and chemotherapeutic agents require
independent double-checks due to their narrow therapeutic index and high risk of harm.
Error Prevention Strategies:
- Follow standardized medication administration policies.
- Clarify unclear orders with prescribers.
- Use bar-code scanning when available.
- Educate patients about their medications.
- Report and learn from near misses.
Practice Questions
1. Which “right” is violated when a nurse gives a medication at the wrong time but to the
correct patient and in the correct dose?
A. Right route
B. Right time
C. Right medication
D. Right dose
2. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin 0.125 mg but notes the patient’s pulse is 48 bpm.
What is the best action?
A. Give the dose as ordered
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Reduce the dose by half
D. Record it and reassess in one hour
