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Nursing Practice > You Asked Us Online
Last modified Aug. 31, 2005
Nursing Standards
Outreach Program
Medication Knowledge
Q
As a nurse working in a longterm care facility, I administer medications to 52 residents. Am I expected to know about all of the drugs before I administer them?
A
Yes, a nurse must know about a drug before administering it. The College’s Medication practice standard states that a nurse should know a client’s allergies; the expected benefits, and the potential risks and side effects of a medication; as well as possible food and medication interactions. A nurse must assess both the appropriateness and the effectiveness of a medication for each client. If a nurse has questions or concerns about administering a drug, she/he is accountable for consulting with the prescriber before administering it.
Administering a medication is an ongoing process that extends well beyond the task of giving the medication. To reduce the risk of error and adverse effects, a nurse must apply knowledge about the client and the medication. If a nurse has insufficient knowledge about the medication, she/he cannot evaluate its appropriateness and effectiveness and therefore cannot safely administer it.
One option to address this issue and safely administer medications to a group of clients is to gain knowledge of the frequently prescribed medications for the specific population. With this knowledge, the time spent referring to pharmacology reference books may decrease. Ask your manager for support in meeting these standards by providing easy access to pharmacology materials and offering learning opportunities on new medications. For more information, consult the Medication practice standard on the College’s website.
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