Medication Administration & Dosage Calculation - Concept Map
Safe Medication Administration & Accurate Dosage Calculation
Related concepts
Pharmacology Fundamentals
Sub concepts
- Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
- Pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action, therapeutic effects)
- Onset, peak, duration
- Half-life and drug accumulation
- Side effects vs adverse effects vs allergic reactions
Relationship to central
Theoretical foundation for understanding drug behavior and safe administration
Routes of Administration
Sub concepts
- Oral (PO) - sublingual, buccal
- Topical/transdermal
- Inhalation
- Instillation (eye, ear, nose)
- Rectal/vaginal
- Parenteral - ID, SC, IM, IV
- Route selection based on patient assessment
Relationship to central
Determines how medication is delivered and affects onset, peak, duration
The Ten Rights of Medication Administration
Sub concepts
- Right patient (two identifiers)
- Right drug
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right time/frequency
- Right documentation (after administration)
- Right reason/indication
- Right assessment (pre-administration)
- Right response/evaluation
- Right to refuse
Relationship to central
Core safety framework mandated by RA 9173 and nursing standards
Dosage Calculation & Unit Conversions
Sub concepts
- Basic formula: D/H × Q
- Weight-based dosing (mg/kg)
- Unit conversions (g, mg, mcg, kg, lb, mL, L, tsp, tbsp, oz)
- IV flow rate calculations (mL/hr, gtt/min)
- Drop factor considerations (macrodrip, microdrip)
- Safe dose range verification
Relationship to central
Essential clinical skill for preventing medication errors and ensuring therapeutic effectiveness
Injection Techniques & Site Selection
Sub concepts
- Intradermal (ID): 10-15° angle, 0.1 mL, bleb formation
- Subcutaneous (SC): 45-90° angle, ≤1 mL, site rotation, no aspiration for anticoagulants
- Intramuscular (IM): 90° angle, 3 mL max, ventrogluteal preferred for adults, Z-track for irritants
- Intravenous (IV): immediate onset, highest risk
- Site complications: infiltration, phlebitis, extravasation
Relationship to central
Proper technique minimizes tissue damage, ensures absorption, and prevents complications
IV Therapy Fundamentals
Sub concepts
- Fluid types: isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic
- IV access and catheter management
- Compatibility assessment before mixing/co-infusing
- Monitoring for complications
- Fluid balance assessment
- Aseptic technique and infection prevention
Relationship to central
Critical component of medication delivery requiring specialized knowledge and monitoring
High-Alert Medications
Sub concepts
- Insulin - use insulin syringes, clear before cloudy, site rotation, glucose monitoring
- Anticoagulants (heparin, enoxaparin, warfarin) - monitoring, antidotes, no aspiration/massage
- Opioids - respiratory assessment before administration, naloxone antidote
- KCl - never IV push undiluted, always dilute and use pump
- Chemotherapy and neuromuscular blockers
- Concentrated electrolytes
Relationship to central
Require independent double-checks and heightened vigilance per patient safety protocols
Error Prevention & Safe Practice
Sub concepts
- Three checks of medication label
- Verification of patient allergies
- Questioning unclear or unusual orders
- Use of leading zeros, avoid trailing zeros
- Avoiding unsafe abbreviations
- Incident reporting and documentation
- Stop and recheck if patient questions medication
Relationship to central
Directly addresses patient safety obligations under RA 9173 nursing practice standards
Special Populations
Sub concepts
- Pediatrics - weight-based dosing, small volumes, double-check calculations
- Older adults - reduced hepatic/renal clearance, polypharmacy considerations, start low go slow
- Pregnancy/lactation - drug safety categories, breast milk transfer
- Renal/hepatic impairment - altered pharmacokinetics
Relationship to central
Requires dose adjustments and modified administration techniques for safety
Assessment & Documentation
Sub concepts
- Pre-administration assessment (vital signs, relevant parameters)
- Post-administration monitoring (onset, peak, duration, effects)
- Adverse reaction assessment
- Documentation immediately after administration
- Evaluation of therapeutic response
- Patient and family teaching
Relationship to central
Integral to the nursing process for evaluating therapeutic outcomes and ensuring accountability
Concept connections
- Pharmacology FundamentalsRoutes of AdministrationPharmacokinetic principles determine which routes achieve optimal absorption and distribution for different drugs
- Routes of AdministrationInjection Techniques & Site SelectionEach parenteral route (ID, SC, IM, IV) requires specific angle, volume, and site selection to ensure safe administration and therapeutic effectiveness
- The Ten Rights of Medication AdministrationDosage Calculation & Unit ConversionsRight dose verification requires accurate calculations and unit conversions to prevent dosing errors
- Dosage Calculation & Unit ConversionsError Prevention & Safe PracticeCareful calculation combined with the three-check system prevents medication errors at the point of administration
- IV Therapy FundamentalsHigh-Alert MedicationsMany high-alert medications are administered IV, requiring special monitoring of flow rates, compatibility, and complications
- High-Alert MedicationsAssessment & DocumentationHigh-alert drugs require enhanced pre-administration assessment and detailed post-administration monitoring and documentation
- Special PopulationsDosage Calculation & Unit ConversionsPediatric and geriatric patients require weight-based dosing and dose adjustments; special populations need modified calculations
- Error Prevention & Safe PracticeThe Ten Rights of Medication AdministrationThe ten rights framework is the foundation of error prevention strategies in medication administration
- Assessment & DocumentationThe Ten Rights of Medication AdministrationAssessment is right #8 (pre-administration parameters) and documentation is right #6 (charting after administration); both are critical rights
- IV Therapy FundamentalsPharmacology FundamentalsIV fluid osmolality and composition directly affect drug distribution and cellular fluid balance based on pharmacokinetic principles
- Routes of AdministrationPharmacology FundamentalsRoute selection affects onset, peak, and duration of drug effects through differential absorption and distribution
- Special PopulationsHigh-Alert MedicationsPediatric and older adult patients require special monitoring and dose adjustments for high-alert medications due to altered metabolism
- Injection Techniques & Site SelectionAssessment & DocumentationProper injection technique prevents complications that must be documented; site assessment is part of pre and post-administration evaluation
- Dosage Calculation & Unit ConversionsIV Therapy FundamentalsIV flow rate calculations determine mL/hr and gtt/min; accurate calculation ensures correct drug delivery
- IV Therapy FundamentalsError Prevention & Safe PracticeIV therapy complications require vigilant monitoring and proper assessment per safety protocols; many high-risk errors occur with IV administration
- Pharmacology FundamentalsSpecial PopulationsUnderstanding pharmacokinetic changes in pediatric and older adult populations guides dose adjustments and monitoring strategies
- Error Prevention & Safe PracticeAssessment & DocumentationPreventing errors requires proper assessment before administration and accurate, timely documentation after administration
- The Ten Rights of Medication AdministrationAssessment & DocumentationAssessment (#8) and documentation (#6) are integral rights; evaluation of therapeutic response and monitoring are documentation requirements
- High-Alert MedicationsError Prevention & Safe PracticeHigh-alert medications require double verification, enhanced monitoring, and knowledge of antidotes as key error prevention strategies
- Routes of AdministrationSpecial PopulationsSome routes are preferred in certain populations (e.g., vastus lateralis IM for infants; modified IV techniques for older adults)
Diagrams
Medication Administration & Dosage Calculation - Comprehensive Concept Map
Comprehensive mind map showing all key concepts in medication administration and dosage calculation, organized hierarchically around the central concept of safe medication administration. Shows relationships between pharmacology fundamentals, routes of administration, the ten rights framework, dosage calculation, injection techniques, IV therapy, high-alert medications, error prevention, special populations, and assessment/documentation.
Medication Administration Process - The Nursing Process Applied
Step-by-step flowchart illustrating the complete medication administration process aligned with the nursing process. Shows assessment, planning, implementation (with three checks), and evaluation phases. Emphasizes verification points, safety checks, and patient monitoring.
Dosage Calculation Decision Tree - Formula Selection
Decision tree for selecting and executing the appropriate dosage calculation method. Shows different calculation types (standard dose, weight-based, IV flow rates, unit conversions) with step-by-step processes for each. Includes verification checkpoints and safety considerations.
Injection Site Selection & Administration by Route
Flowchart for selecting appropriate injection sites and techniques based on prescribed route. Details angles, volumes, site selection criteria, special precautions (especially for heparin and irritating drugs), and Z-track technique. Emphasizes safety considerations and site-specific monitoring.
IV Fluid Tonicity & Selection Guide
Classification flowchart for IV fluid tonicity and selection. Compares isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic fluids with examples, mechanisms of action, clinical uses, and specific monitoring considerations. Includes safety warnings and nursing interventions for each category.
High-Alert Medications - Double-Check Protocol & Antidotes
Protocol flowchart for high-alert medications requiring independent double-checks. Includes insulin, anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin), opioids, potassium chloride, chemotherapy, and neuromuscular blockers. Shows specific monitoring parameters and available antidotes for each medication class.
IV Complications - Recognition & Immediate Nursing Actions
Comprehensive flowchart for recognizing and responding to common IV complications including infiltration, phlebitis, extravasation, fluid overload, air embolism, and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). Shows clinical signs, immediate nursing actions, and monitoring requirements for each complication type.
Medication Administration Verification Sequence - Three Checks System
Sequence diagram showing the complete medication verification process with three checks at critical points: removal from storage, during preparation, and at the bedside. Demonstrates the systematic approach to preventing medication errors through the nursing process of assessment, implementation, and evaluation.
Medication Error Prevention Components - Priority Weighting
Pie chart illustrating the relative importance and contribution of different error prevention components in medication safety. Shows that the Ten Rights framework, accurate dosage calculation, and the three checks system form the foundation of safe medication administration, supplemented by patient verification, allergy assessment, and proper documentation.
Patient Medication Safety State Transitions During Administration
State diagram showing medication safety transitions during the complete administration process. Illustrates decision points where the process may loop back for verification or escalate for safety concerns. Shows progression from order receipt through post-administration monitoring, with emphasis on safety gates and patient assessment checkpoints.