Medication administration

What is medication administration?

Medication administration is when healthcare providers or pharmacists administer a drug to a patient. It also refers to guidelines that healthcare professionals follow in medication management, ensuring that drugs are administered safely and legally.

Who can administer medication?

The regulations for administering medication vary by state. All healthcare facilities follow a strict protocol on drug administration. In hospitals and residential care centers, the nurses’ role in medication administration is especially important. Many medical emergencies can be prevented if a doctor, nurse, or medication administration technician ensures that they are administering the proper dosage to the right patient, at the right time. Qualified health professionals must also look at a patient’s medical records, to ensure that contraindicated drugs are not being administered.

At FastMed, you can count on us to safely administer any medications you may need during your time with us. If our care providers prescribe a medication for you, we will make sure you have easy-to-read information on its proper use and potential side effects. We will also update your medical records to reflect the medications we have administered.

What are ways to administer medication?

It is very important that medications be administered as directed. Different routes of medication administration include swallowing, injecting, and applying to the skin. For example, topical medication administration refers to drugs, usually creams or ointments, but occasionally a patch, which are specially applied to a certain area of the body. Intravenous or IV medication administration is medication that is administered through a small catheter into the vein. See the list below for all the types of medication administration.

What are the types of medication administration?

There are many different kinds of prescription medication and for every type, there are medication administration practices that must be followed. Adherence to these practices is vital for patient safety and effectiveness of care. Following proper drug administration practices also helps stem many social ills, such as addiction to prescription pain medication and narcotic pain medication.

Analgesic administration

using drugs to reduce pain

Anesthesia administration

preparing and administering anesthetics, and monitoring the patient afterward

Medication administration

preparing, administering, and evaluating the effectiveness of medications

Medication administration — ear

preparing and applying medications in the ear

Medication administration — eye

preparing and administering ophthalmic medications

Medication administration — inhalation

preparing and administering inhaled medications

Medication administration — intradermal

preparing and administering medications by the intradermal route (like a PPD placement)

Medication administration — intramuscular

preparing and administering medications by the intramuscular route (a shot)

Medication administration — intravenous

preparing and administering medications intravenously

Medication administration — oral

preparing and administering medications by mouth and monitoring the patient (a pill or liquid)

Medication administration — rectal

preparing and administering medicated suppositories

Medication administration — skin

preparing and applying medications to the skin (triple antibiotic ointment)

Medication administration — subcutaneous

preparing and administering medications subcutaneously