Administration of Oral Medication (Mixtures)

Procedure

1. Wash hands and check the prescription against the rights of administration.
2. Check the bottle label, expiry date and any instruction to shake before use.
3. Shake the bottle well to resuspend the medicine.
4. Hold the bottle with the label uppermost so drips do not obscure it.
5. Pour the exact dose into a calibrated medicine measure at eye level, or draw it with an oral syringe.
6. Wipe the neck of the bottle and replace the cap.
7. Identify the patient, sit them upright and give the dose.
8. Offer water afterwards unless the medicine is a demulcent cough linctus.
9. Record the dose and time, and store the bottle as directed on the label.