OSCE Checklist: Administering Nebulised Medication
Introduction
1 Gather equipment
2 Wash your hands and don PPE if appropriate
3 Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role
4 Confirm the patient's name and date of birth
5 Briefly explain what the procedure will involve using patient-friendly language
6 Check the patient's understanding of the medication being administered and explain the
indication for the treatment
7 Gain consent to proceed with administering nebulised medication
8 Check if the patient has any allergies
9 Position the patient so that they are sitting comfortably
Final checks
10 Right person: ask the patient to confirm their details and then compare this to the patient's
wrist band (if present) and the prescription
11 Right drug: check the labelled drug against the prescription and ensure the medication
hasn't expired
12 Right dose: check the drug dose against the prescription to ensure it is correct
13 Right time: confirm the appropriate time to be administering the medication and check when
the patient had previous doses if relevant
14 Right route: check that the planned route is appropriate for the medication you are
administering
15 Right to refuse: ensure that valid consent has been gained prior to medication administration
16 Right documentation of the prescription and allergies: ensure that the prescription is valid
and check the patient isn't allergic to the medication you are going to administer
Administering nebulised medication
17 Wash your hands and don gloves/apron (if not already done)
18 Assemble the nebuliser device according to the manufacturer's instructions
19 Pour the correct dose of medication into the nebuliser device
20 Position the patient upright (greater than 45 degrees)
21 Attach the nebuliser onto the face mask or pipe system with a mouthpiece as appropriate
22 Attach the oxygen tubing to the bottom of the nebuliser device. Attach the other end of the
oxygen tubing to oxygen or compressed air supply.
23 Turn on the oxygen or compressed air to a flow rate to provide sufficient misting (around
6-10 litres per minute)
24 Secure the face mask over the patient’s mouth and nose or instruct them to seal their lips
around the mouthpiece
25 Instruct the patient to try and inhale slowly and deeply during administration
26 Run the nebuliser for around 10 minutes until the total dose of medication in the nebuliser
chamber has been administered
27 Continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs and monitor for any side effects of medication
administration
28 Towards the end of treatment, inspect the nebuliser and tap the side of the chamber to
release any droplets clinging to the side
29 Once the administration is complete, turn off the oxygen or compressed air and remove the
face mask or mouthpiece from the patient
30 Re-assess the patient’s vital signs and conduct a respiratory examination to determine if the
administration of nebulised medication has had the desired effect or if further treatment is
required
31 Dispose of your clinical equipment into an appropriate clinical waste bin
To complete the procedure…
32 Explain to the patient that the procedure is now complete
33 Thank the patient for their time
34 Dispose of PPE appropriately and wash your hands
35 Document the details of the procedure and the medication administered
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