The 10 Rights of Medication Administration: Explained

Medication administration is a critical aspect of healthcare that requires meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of safety protocols. To ensure patient well-being and prevent medication errors, healthcare professionals follow a set of guiding principles known as the “10 Rights of Medication Administration.

The 10 Rights of Medication Administration

The 10 Rights of Medication Administration are a widely accepted framework to ensure safe and accurate medication administration. Here’s a detailed explanation of each right:

1. Right Patient

• Verify the patient’s identity using at least two identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth, medical record number).
• Ensure the medication is administered to the correct patient.

2. Right Medication

• Check the name of the medication, brand names should be avoided.
• Check the expiry date.
• Check the prescription.
• Make sure medications, especially antibiotics, are reviewed regularly.

3.Right Dose

• Verify the dosage accuracy, including the amount and units (e.g., milligrams, millilitres).
• Check the prescription.
• If necessary, calculate the dose and have another nurse calculate the dose as well.

4.Right Route

• Again, check the order and appropriateness of the route prescribed.
• Confirm that the patient can take or receive the medication by the ordered route.
• Administer the medication via the correct route (e.g., oral, intravenous, topical).

5.Right Time

• Check the frequency of the prescribed medication.
• Double-check that you are giving the prescribed at the correct time.
• Confirm when the last dose was given.
• Administer the medication at the scheduled time or within a specified time frame.

6.Right Documentation

Accurately record medication administration in the patient’s medical record, including:

• Medication name and dose
• Time administered
• Route of administration
• Any adverse reactions or concern

7.Right Client Education

• Check if the patient understands what the medication is for.
• Make them aware they should contact a healthcare professional if they experience side-effects or reactions.

8.Right to Refuse

• Ensure you have the patient consent to administer medications.
• Be aware that patients do have a right to refuse medication if they have the capacity to do so.
• Nurses must legally document a refusal of medication.

9.Right Assessment

• Check your patient actually needs the medication.
• Check for contraindications.
• Baseline observations if required.

10.Right Evaluation

• Ensure the medication is working the way it should.
• Ensure medications are reviewed regularly.
• Ongoing observations if required.

Points 1 to 5 are the ‘5 Rights of Medication Administration. Points 6-10 are unratified checks that have been suggested by multiple US nursing boards and research panels to enhance patient safety. 

Additional considerations include:

• Right to Information: Provide patient education on medication purpose, effects, and potential side effects.
• Right to Allergy/Intolerance: Consider patient allergies and intolerances when administering medications.
• Right to Medication Reconciliation: Verify medications at transitions of care.

Medication Administration Guidelines

After learning about the 10 rights of medication administration, here are the guidelines for medication administration. Whenever a medication is given, follow these guidelines for medication safety:

1. Let them know what they are taking and answer questions.
2. Give them responsibilities. Hand them their meds and let them take them.
3. Give them privacy.
4. Don’t get distracted while giving medications.
5. Use a quiet place for medication administration.
6. Don’t leave bottles open or leave them out on a counter. Keep small children in mind.
7. Wash your hands with soap and water before giving someone medicine.
8. Wash your hands after you give someone medicine, especially if there are multiple sick people in your home. 

REFERENCES

1. Hanson A, Haddad LM. Nursing Rights of Medication Administration. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560654/
2. Elliott M, Liu Y. The nine rights of medication administration: an overview. Br J Nurs. 2010 Mar 11-24;19(5):300-5.
3. Martyn JA, Paliadelis P, Perry C. The safe administration of medication: Nursing behaviours beyond the five-rights. Nurse Educ Pract. 2019 May;37:109-114.
4. Fothergill Bourbonnais F, Caswell W. Teaching successful medication administration today: more than just knowing your ‘rights’. Nurse Educ Pract. 2014 Aug;14(4):391-5.

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