Initial Phase: Mastering PO Medications
Direct Guidance on PO Medication Administration
Initially, clinical instructors closely supervise students administering oral medications. This might involve the clinical instructor walking a student through the process of verifying the prescriber’s orders, double-checking patient allergies, calculating doses if necessary, and ensuring adherence to the “10 rights” of medication administration, which the clinical instructor may take some on instead of the student.
Demonstrations and Hands-On Practice
Under certain circumstances or upon student request, clinical instructors may demonstrate techniques for administering various forms of medications, including tablets, capsules, and liquids, and address how to manage patients with swallowing difficulties. Students then practice these skills, for instance, preparing a liquid antibiotic dose for a patient, under the instructor’s watchful eye.