Administration Techniques

When administering oral medication, ensure that:

• The service user is positioned appropriately as per their individual care plan e.g. encouraged to adopt an upright position to reduce the risk of choking

• You offer the service user a suitable drink (preferably water unless care plan states otherwise)

• Use a suitable measuring device when measuring liquid medicines e.g. oral syringe, graduated measuring cup, medicines spoon (these should be provided by the supplying pharmacy)

• Do not use kitchen teaspoons as these will not measure an accurate dose

• When using an oral syringe or a graduated measuring cup you MUST ensure you know what volume each graduation marking indicates

• When using a graduated medicine cup, ensure that the cup is placed on a flat surface and the liquid is poured into the cup and observed at eye level, checking the bottom of the meniscus.

When using an oral syringe remove any air bubbles to ensure the correct volume is measured

When administering medication into a service user's mouth via an oral syringe DO NOT squirt the medication into their mouth as this could cause choking. Instead place the nozzle at the side of their mouth and gently push the plunger down to release a small volume of medication which the service user can swallow, repeat until the full dose is taken

Remember: the service user may prefer to take their oral liquid from a spoon, if this is the case you can use the oral syringe to measure the dose and then transfer the liquid to the spoon. This should be done carefully to avoid spillages as this would result in a lower dose being administered

An error when measuring a dose could cause the service user harm and can sometimes be fatal!

• On first opening, write the date on the outer packaging (if available) and bottle of drops/tube of ointment

• If already opened, check for the date written on the bottle of drops/tube of ointment

Most eye drops/ointment have a shortened expiry date once opened e.g. must be used within 28 days after opening. Always check and follow the manufactures instructions as this may vary per product

There are a variety of inhalers and spacer devices available on prescription. If you are supporting people who are prescribed inhalers you must ensure you know the correct administration technique for that inhaler device (as this will vary depending on the type of inhaler or spacer).

Further information and demonstration videos can be found on the RightBreathe website to find a list of inhalers choose the inhaler icon, to find a list of spacer devices choose the spacer icon.

When a personal spacer device is used this must be damage free, clean, and dry. Always clean and dry devices as per the manufacture's instructions.

Click the inhaler to discover how to use different types of inhalers

When applying topical preparations, ensure that:

• You wear disposable non-latex gloves and change these between products and service users

• You know what the external product is for, where to apply, how much to apply and how long for.

• If the cream is in a tub take the required amount of cream or ointment from the container into your gloved hand.

• You do not double dip your hand into the tub (if more is required use a new glove).

• You apply to clean, dry skin and only to the area it has been prescribed for.

• If prescribers directions are unclear "e.g. apply as directed" seek advice.

• You apply topical products in the direction of hair growth in a sweeping motion.

* Topical preparations examples include: cream, lotion, gel, ointment, shampoo (list is not exhaustive) 

• Some products need to be applied thinly - if so, this should be stated on the pharmacy label and/or product packaging. When applying thinly, use a finger tip unit as shown in the image.

• Moisturisers can be applied liberally.

• When two or more external products are prescribed for the same area, 15-30 minutes must be left between applying each product, unless directed otherwise by the prescriber