5.6.1: Oral Route
- Page ID
- 89401
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The oral route is the most common route of drug administration. Patients are usually comfortable taking oral drugs. The oral route is generally economical, safe, and convenient. Disadvantages of the oral route may be a bad taste or smell, irritation to the stomach lining, less predictable absorption of drugs, and the inability to administer if the patient has nausea or vomiting.
Supplies and equipment required to administer drugs orally include:
- Provider’s drug order
- Documentation system
- Gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Drug supply
- Medicine cup or oral syringe
- Water
- Tablet crusher, if needed
When preparing oral drugs, practice medical asepsis and work in a well-lit area without distractions; follow the nine rights of drug administration and check for drug allergies. Only administer drugs ordered by the provider and that you have prepared yourself. If the MA has any questions about the drug, do not administer the drug until all questions have been answered.
Follow the following steps for safe administration of oral drugs:
- Use a drug reference source to review information on the drug ordered.
- Calculate the amount of drug to be administered
- Wash your hands.
- Check the drug label against the provider’s order. Check for the drug name, form, and route.
- Check the expiration date on the drug packaging.
- Remove the container's cover for bulk tablets and pour the correct number into the cap. Pouring extra tablets back into the container only if they are in the container's cap is acceptable.
- For liquid drugs, place the plastic medicine cup on an even surface. Uncap the container and place the label under your palm. When at eye level with the medicine cup, pour the liquid drug into the cup and measure to the bottom of the meniscus.
- When the correct number of tablets has been in the cap, pour the tablets into the paper medicine cup.
- Place the medicine cup on the medication tray and clean up the work area
- Perform another check for the right name, form, route, and dose.
- Greet the patient and identify yourself. Verify the patient’s identity by asking for their name and date of birth. Check the patient’s identification bracelet if required.
- Ask the patient if they have any drug allergies.
- Provide patient education. Explain the drug ordered, the indication for the drug, side effects, adverse effects, and the provider who ordered the drug.
- Perform any assessments before administering the drug
- Allow the patient to ask questions.
- Hand the medicine cup and cup of water to the patient and stay with the patient until the patient has consumed the drug.
- Document the procedure in the health record.
(Ernstmeyer & Christman, 2021).