NCLEX Memory Hints: Medication Administration
Monday, April 21, 2025
Pharmacology: Medication Administration
NCLEX Memory Hints © BrainyNurses.com
Crutches are frequently dispensed in the outpatient setting and education is important for patient safety and to prevent complications.
Eye and Otic Irrigations and Medications
Eye irrigations
• The eye may be numbed prior to, especially if a device such as a Morgan lens is used.
• When irrigating, push fluid into the conjunctival sac from inner to outer and not directly on the eyeball which may damage the cornea.
Eye drops
• Three to five minutes between drops.
• Safety is a consideration in the elderly. They should lie down or sit when administering eye drops. Their hands may shake, and they may lose their balance when tipping the head back.
Otic Irrigations
• Determine if the tympanic membrane is intact before irrigating. Irrigate toward wall of canal with 50-70 mL at a time.
• Irrigations and drops should be administered at room temperature. Cold or warm solutions can cause dizziness.
1. Ear drops
• Pull the pinna, down and back for kids < 3 years. Up and back for adults.
• Patients should lie on the untreated side for 3-5 minutes after instillation to allow the medication to move down the ear canal. Do not place a plug in the ear unless specifically ordered. The plug can wick the medication out of the ear and make it ineffective.
Injectable Medications
A. Needles and angles for injections
B. Intramuscular sites
Intravenous Medications
A. With IV medications, monitor for incompatibilities when two drugs are given in the same tubing because it may result in a precipitate formation.
Example: Calcium intravenously with bicarbonate containing solution.
B. Onset, peak, and duration are based on the route of administration.
Memory Hints for Medication Administration
• “Good leg up, bad leg and crutches down” for stair climbing.
• “Crutch too high, forearm weak.”
• “Elbow too straight, hand numb.”
• “Wide base of support 6-10 inches in front and to the side.”
• “Crutches on the bad side, grasp the chair arm with the good side” to get out of the chair.
• “4-point is 4 movements; 2-point is 2 movements and a walking pattern.”
• “3-point is no weight bearing on one extremity.”
• “Swing-through is a safety risk.”
Summary
In preparing for the NCLEX exam, knowledge of the use of crutches is needed. The “Memory Hints” simply the most common points tested. Remember the importance of safety in any type of assistive device.
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