Pharmacological Therapies

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.

Two acceptable identifiers, such as full name and date of birth (or medical record number) — never the room number.

1) When retrieving the medication from storage, 2) when preparing or pouring it, and 3) at the bedside before administering it.

Placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely — the patient should not chew, swallow, or eat/drink until it dissolves.

Between the cheek and the gum, where it dissolves and is absorbed through the oral mucosa.

Crushing destroys the coating or release mechanism, causing gastric irritation or a rapid, potentially toxic dose release (dose dumping).