When administering topical medications, which is an important nursing action?

a) Encouraging self-application is beneficial in some cases, but it is not always appropriate. The nurse must ensure the medication is applied correctly and safely, especially if the patient has mobility or cognitive impairments.

b) Wearing treatment gloves is important when handling certain medications, but it is not required for all topical applications. Some medications, such as nitroglycerin ointment, require gloves to prevent nurse exposure, but others do not.

c) Changing gloves between skin preparation and medication application is not a universal requirement. In most cases, the same pair of gloves can be used unless contamination occurs.

d) Performing effective hand hygiene before and after applying the medication is the most essential action to prevent infection and cross-contamination.

a) The six rights of medication administration—right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation—help ensure patient safety by reducing medication errors. This is a fundamental nursing practice to prevent adverse drug reactions, overdoses, or omissions.

b) Informed consent is important but is not directly related to the six rights of medication administration. It is typically obtained before administering high-risk medications or treatments.

c) While proper medication administration includes patient education, the six rights primarily focus on safety rather than the adequacy of information given.

d) The six rights do not focus on cost-effectiveness but rather on the accurate and safe administration of drugs.