π NCLEX Medication Administration: 6 Rights, Routes & Safety Tips
Medication errors remain a leading cause of preventable harm in healthcareβand the NCLEX ensures future nurses know how to avoid them. That's why medication administration questions are consistently high-yield on the exam.
In this blog, you'll master the 6 rights of med administration, common routes, and must-know NCLEX-style safety tipsβall explained with easy-to-use tables and a powerful KOTC visual.
β The 6 Rights of Medication Administration
This core NCLEX topic tests your ability to protect patient safety by checking each right, every time:
Right | Explanation |
---|---|
Right Patient | Use 2 identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) |
Right Medication | Match to MAR, triple check label |
Right Dose | Check safe range for age/weight |
Right Time | Give on schedule, consider PRN timing |
Right Route | Confirm ordered route (e.g., PO, IV, IM) |
Right Documentation | Chart immediately after giving, never before |
π Common Routes of Administration
Route | Abbreviation | Example Use |
---|---|---|
Oral | PO | Pills, tablets, liquids |
Intravenous | IV | Fluids, emergency meds |
Intramuscular | IM | Vaccines, pain meds |
Subcutaneous | SubQ | Insulin, heparin |
Sublingual | SL | Nitroglycerin |
Rectal | PR | Seizure control, antiemetics |
π‘ NCLEX Tip: Always clarify abbreviations and do not guess unfamiliar routes on the exam.
β οΈ NCLEX Medication Safety Must-Knows
Use leading zeros (e.g., 0.5 mg) but never trailing zeros (e.g., 5.0 mg β)
Double check high-alert meds (e.g., insulin, anticoagulants)
Always verify allergies before administration
Use barcode scanning and electronic MAR when available
π§ Practice Questions
Q1: Whatβs the best way to identify the correct patient before administering medication?
β‘οΈ Answer: Use two identifiers like name and date of birth.
Q2: Which route is fastest for systemic medication delivery?
β‘οΈ Answer: Intravenous (IV)
π NCLEX Strategy
Be prepared to:
Apply the 6 rights in multi-step clinical judgment questions
Choose the safest route based on patient condition
Identify unsafe med practices in nursing scenarios
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Aim for 4-6 focused hours, ensuring you incorporate breaks to avoid burnout.
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Practice mindfulness techniques, take practice exams under realistic conditions, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
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Set short-term goals, seek support from mentors, and reward yourself for small achievements.
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Regular exercise improves focus, reduces stress, and enhances overall mental clarity.
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KOTC offers personalized learning tools, gamification features, and adaptive question banks to help students stay on track without burnout.