1. Medication Dosage and Administration
Injections
Medication Dosage and Administration

2. Medication Administration
The medication order or prescription
Given by provider
Written legal document that gives directions for compounding, dispensing, and administering medication to patient
P 1082

3. Calculation of Drug Dosages
Exact dosage is critical in preventing medication errors
Medical Assistants must be able to accurately calculate and measure medications administered to patients
Clinic policy and protocol for administering
Premeasured and single dose medications
P 1088, 1089

4. Seven Rights of Medication Administration
Right Patient
Right Medication or Drug
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time/Frequency
Right Technique
Right Reason and Response (Spring 2016 Multicare Protocol)
Right Documentation

5. Reading the Medication Label
Spring 2016 Multicare protocol
There are 4 times when you read the medication label
When removing the medication from storage
Before preparing the medication
At the patient’s side (read out loud to patient)
During documentation

6. Parenteral Medications
Common routes
Intradermal
Subcutaneous
Intramuscular
Intravenous (not within the scope of practice for MA’s)
Delivered into the bloodstream more rapidly than oral medications

7. Syringes Syringe sizes Range from 1 to 60 mL Many uses injections,
Irrigation
aspiration

8. Parts of a Syringe

9. Needles Needle selection determined by: Type of medication
Route of administration
Size of the patient

10. Needles Needle gauge Needle length determined by 18 to 30 gauge
Diameter of the needle
Determined by viscosity of medication
Needle length determined by
Administration route
Site of injection
Adipose tissue

11. Parts of a Needle

12. Safety and Injections Wear proper PPE
86% of blood is wiped off by glove material
Always use needles with safety devices
Non-compliance carries large fine up to $70,000
Never dismantle a safety device
Activate safety device immediately after injection
83% of needle sticks happen with delay in activating the safety

13. Safe Disposal of Equipment
Disposing of needles and syringes
Sharps container MUST be at point of use
Sharps containers are puncture resistance not puncture proof
Do not over fill sharps containers
Never recap needle after giving injection

14. Needle Safety Safety devices
Prevent accidental needle sticks from contaminated needles
In case of accidental needle stick follow clinic protocol
Wash area immediately with soap and water
Report the incident to your supervisor
Complete an incident report
Review treatment options with counselor

15. Key to Safe Injections
Behavior

16. Medication Containers
Ampule
Single dose
Cartridge unit
Prefilled, single dose
Vial
May contain single or multiple doses

17. Measuring Medication in a Syringe
Pull the plunger back so the top of the rubber stopper is even with the calibration line of the amount of medication ordered

18. Injection Angles

19. Basic Guidelines for Administration of Injections
Site Selection:
Sites should be free of:
Skin lesion, burns, inflammation, scar tissue, moles, warts, lumps, tattoos, edema, nerves, bones
Do not give on same side as mastectomy
(see Procedure 36-2 in the text)
(see Procedure 36-3 in the text)
(see Procedure 36-5 in the text)

20. Basic Guidelines for Administration of Injections
Z-track Method of Intramuscular Injection
Given to avoid irritation to subcutaneous tissues
Pull skin to side before inserting needle
(see Procedure 36-9 in the text)

21. Basic Guidelines for Administration of Injections
Administration of Allergenic Extracts
MAs may administer allergenic extracts
Always follow guidelines
Have emergency supplies on hand
Allergic reactions
Observe the patient for minutes after administration

22. Play DVD

23. Credits Clinical Medical Assisting-Heller and Veach 2009
Delmar’s Comprehensive Medical Assisting-Lindh, Pooler, Tamparo, and Dahl