LAB PACKAGE #1
Welcome to the lab portion of Pharmacology for nurses NURS 2810! These labs are designed to teach
you how to safely and effectively prepare and administer medications, and how to accurately calculate
medication dosages. During lab sessions you will have the opportunity to observe and practice
medication administration techniques, and be given the opportunity to complete scenarios in the
simulation lab. There will some opportunity to review questions from the dosage calculation workbook
during lab sessions. The Online Evolve portal also includes many additional resources to assist your
learning i.e. lecture videos, critique videos, math resources, clinical skills videos etc. Please access these
as often as necessary to assist your learning. You will also need to ensure that you access the lab during
IPR hours regularly to maintain your medication administration & preparation skills.
Lab package #1 includes:
Weeks 2, 3 & 4 learning objectives
Weeks 2, 3 & 4 Learner preparation
Process for formal critique
Patient Profiles
Medication Administration Records (MARs) for critique 1 & 2
Please note: An additional online learning module is included in this course to assist you to work
through the Calculate with Confidence Dosage Calculation workbook…ensure that you have completed
both the Math assignments and the posted lab package for each lab session.
If you are struggling with the dosage calculations please ensure that you contact your Lab Instructor
immediately
In order to use the supervised practice lab times effectively, it is very important that you come
to labs prepared. This lab package will outline what preparation is expected. You will refer to
lab package #1 for weeks 2, 3 & 4. Ensure that you have
purchased the following:
Fundamentals by Potter & Perry
Calculate with Confidence 1st Canadian Edition Ed.
Mosby’s drug guide for Nurses.
Weeks #2, 3 & 4
Oral, topical, inhaled and sublingual medication preparation, administration and documentation
Learning Objectives: At the end of the Session #4 students will successfully demonstrate ability to:
1. Design and deliver health teaching to clients related to their specific learning needs related to
oral, topical, inhaled and sublingual medication regime
2. Comply with the principles and legalities of medication administration related to oral, topical,
inhaled and sublingual medication
3. Think critically when solving problems related to mathematical calculations for oral, topical,
inhaled and sublingual medication
4. Demonstrate accurate calculation, administration and documentation of oral, topical, inhaled
and sublingual medications.
Learner Preparation:
Read Potter & Perry pp. 727-774
Wk 1 - Calculate with Confidence Chapters 1-6, 8-11
Wk 2 – Calculate with Confidence Chapter 12, 13 & 15
View Online Lecture “Principles of Medication Administration”
View critique video
Review Clinical Skills Videos:
Using a Metered Dose Inhaler
Using Automated Medication Dispensing Systems
Inserting a Rectal Medication
Handling Medication Variations
Documenting Medication Administration
Applying Topical Medications
Administering Oral Medications
Administering a Cleansing Enema
Administering Eye Medications
Administering Ear Medications
Learning activities during Lab
Watch demonstration
Supervised practice
DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
By understanding each of the classifications, you will be able to apply this knowledge to many of the
medications in that family of drugs. Begin to research the medications that you will be responsible for
during the 3 formal critiques this semester (see attached MAR). You should also notice that these
medications are some of the more commonly administered on your clinical unit.
The following information is available for each medication in your drug guide. You will be asked to
discuss them during your formal critique.
Classification Adverse effects Nursing
Action Contraindications implications/teaching
Indications
The safe dosage range for Onset, peak and duration
each of these drugs
Critique
This is the process for Preparation & Administration of medications that you will demonstrate
during your first formal critique – also watch the critique video so you know what to expect.
Critical thinking – drug classification, indication, contraindication, side effects, adverse
reactions, onset, peak, duration, nursing assessments (vital signs, pain, weight, lab work,
blood sugar, swallowing ability, etc)
Locate medication.
First check of 8 R’s– right pt, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right
frequency, right site, right reason(checking MAR with medication) **remember right
site is not applicable for oral medications
Dosage calculation
Allergy assessment
Verify Physician/Nurse Practitioner order with MAR for transcription accuracy by
checking for signature on MAR.(If the medication is hand written then you must verify
the accuracy of the order directly with the chart)
Second check – 8 rights (MAR to medication)
Pour medication
Third check of 8 rights (total 8 R’s x 3 checks =24) MAR to medication
Recheck dosage calculation
Bring health record # / unique # to bedside
At bedside verbally ID client and check allergy and unique# with armband
Health teaching in relation to medication – reasons/rationale, side effects etc
Administer medication
Document on MAR (time, date, dose & route)
Pharm Lab Critique
Oral/Topical/Inhalation/eye drop
Name Date Pass/Fail
Critical thinking:
Mechanism of action
Onset/peak/duration
Side effects/adverse reactions
Right Patient
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time
Right Frequency
Right Reason
Right Site
Dose Calculation
Allergy check
Check MAR verification
Right Patient
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time
Right Frequency
Right Reason
Right Site
Pour medication appropriately
Right Patient
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Route
Right Time
Right Frequency
Right Reason
Right Site
Copy unique #
Check unique # to patients wristband & rechecks allergy
Documentation: Date/time/dose/signature
Meet the patients that you will be caring for this semester. Please ensure that you are familiar
with their diagnosis and history as you will need to make decisions regarding medication
administration based on this information.
Mr. Colin Mitchel
Mr. Mitchel is a 53 year old man admitted to hospital with hypertension. He has a history of
TIA’s and Atrial Fibrillation. He weighs 81 kg. Mr. Mitchel has been married to Carol Mitchel for
the last 25 years. They have a daughter Christine 23 and a son Derek 21 both in university. Mr.
Mitchel has been experiencing an increased level of stress and anxiety as he lost his job at GM 2
years ago when they downsized. He was unable to finish high school, and has held the same
job since he was 17 years old. He is concerned that his children may have to leave school early
and that he may lose the house that his children grew up in.
Current Status: Bp 148/88, Pulse 90 irregular, c/o headache rates 7out of 10, alert and
orientated X 3.
Mr. Robbie Robertson
Mr. Robbie Robertson is a 68 year old man admitted with UTI and diabetes. He has a past
medical history of IDDM for the past 10 years, an MI 2 years ago and CHF. He weighs 78 kg. Mr.
Robertson has lived with his partner for the last 30 years. He has no children, but 2 golden
retrievers. He is a retired school teacher.
Current Status: Glucose fasting = 5.3, urine cloudy, c/o burning when voiding, chest clear,
denies SOB.
Mrs. Anita Smith
Mrs. Anita Smith is a 54-year-old woman admitted to the hospital with end-stage carcinoma of
the breast with metastasis to bone and lung. She had a left mastectomy 3 years ago. Her weight
is 50kg. Hoping to find a job, Mrs. Smith moved to Ontario from British Columbia a year ago.
She has not worked for 7 years due to various health issues. She appears malnourished, has no
family support and has just lost her apartment as she was unable to pay the rent.
Current Status: Conditional terminal, bedridden, denies pain, no BM X 3 days, congested
cough.
You will find the Medication Administration Records (MARs) for Colin Mitchel, Robbie
Robertson and Anita Smith in Evolve in the NURS 2810 Pharmacology tab. You will need to
refer the chart information while practicing the preparation and administration of
medications during Pharm Lab Sessions.
