The transfer of responsibility for the
performance of selected tasks by the
Registered Nurse (RN) to qualified, competent
assistive personnel in a selected situation,
based upon the RN’s plan of care. The RN
retains professional accountability for the
outcome of the delegated task and all the
nursing care of the individual. No redelegation
by assistive personnel may occur.

drugs are designed to treat a specific site

These are a preparation of powdered drugs that
are compressed or molded into shape. An example is an aspirin.

Make sure you can accurately identify
those to whom you are administering medications. If
you have any questions, don’t administer the
medication until you check with a staff person who
knows the individuals to make sure. A picture with the
person’s name is available with the MAR.

Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is ____________ _______________ for the critical health and well-being of the student.

Work not requiring nursing
knowledge, judgment, or decisionmaking

occurs after a drug is absorbed into the
bloodstream and distributed throughout body tissues.

These have indented lines that divide them into
halves or quarters. This allows the tablet to be
broken or cut easily for administering a divided,
more accurate dosage.

to assure administration of the correct:
compare the physician’s written order and/or the MAR
with the pharmacy label. Double check them and make
sure they agree.

When a student requires daily or regular medication, parents must make every effort to give prescribed doses of the
medication ____ __________.

After assessing an individual, an RN will assign to
an authorized staff person a task of administering an
oral or topical medication that does not require
professional knowledge independent judgment, &/or
decision making of an RN. This assignment occurs
only after: 1) clear & specific directions, 2)
performance method & 3) expected results are fully
explained. The RN may delegate selected tasks
only to the assistive worker who is known to be
qualified and competent to perform these tasks.

medications are taken by mouth. They are the
safest, most economical and convenient method of
administering medications. They take the form of
tablets, capsules, liquids, or troches.

A thick coating completely
encases the tablet (much like the candy coating of
an M & M covers the chocolate). This coating
prevents the aspirin from dissolving in the stomach,
thus preventing the acidic character of aspirin from
irritating the stomach wall or decreasing/destroying
the medication’s effectiveness. It will dissolve in the
small intestine. These tablets must be swallowed
whole. If chewed or crushed, the medication is
released in the stomach.

The MAR will have the amount of
medication to be given in the same area as the drug
name. It can be stated in a number of different ways.
By number of tablets, milligrams, ounces, teaspoons,
etc. Make sure you understand exactly how much to
give.

Medications will be stored in a ________ ___________ in a secure area with access limited to nurses and
administrators. Medication requiring refrigeration must be refrigerated in a secure area. Medications that must
be available while a student is engaged in a school activity conducted away from the customary site of storage
must be kept with the staff designated by the nurse or administrator.

An active process in which the Registered Professional Nurse monitors, directs,
guides, and evaluates the outcomes of
an activity or task. The registered nurse
maintains the accountability for the tasks
and responsibilities, as subcomponents
of total patient care, delegated to
qualified competent assistive personnel

medications are for external use. They may be
tinctures,

These are medication enclosed in a gelatinous
container. Some can be pulled apart, and the contents
given with food or liquid. If done, care must be taken to assure the capsule has been completely emptied to
assure correct dosage. Capsules should not be
crushed or chewed.

Both the label on the medication container/
card and the MAR should show the time the medication is to be given. If the label gives no precise time but states daily or “qd” or some other time method, check
the MAR for the schedule or Agency policy/procedure
for the definition of, for example “daily”.

Trained staff members ___ administer medication in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction or
situation.

RIGHT PERSON
 RIGHT MEDICATION
 RIGHT DOSE
 RIGHT TIME
 RIGHT ROUTE
 RIGHT TEXTURE/CONSISTENCY
 RIGHT RECORD

medications are inserted into the rectum through
the anus and used when digestive enzymes alter the
medication and/or when a person is unable to take a
medication by mouth. Rectal medications include
suppositories and Diastat rectal gel. These may be local
or systemic in effect. These require nursing skill and judgment and cannot be delegated to non-nursing staff

These are liquid preparations of medications
contained in a sweetened, aqueous base. An example in our medication cabinet is hydroxyzine.

This is how the medication is consumed,
applied, or received (e.g., orally or topically) is
described as the route. Once again, check the
prescription label and/or the MAR.

Medication must be provided in its original container labeled by the _____________ with the student’s name,
medication, dosage, and time to be given at school.