Helping an Ill or Injured Person with Medication

Helping an Ill or Injured Person with Medication: A First Aid Guide

In an emergency situation, you may encounter a person who needs help taking their prescribed medication. Whether it is someone experiencing a severe asthma attack who cannot operate their inhaler, a person in anaphylactic shock who needs their epinephrine auto-injector, or a diabetic individual who requires glucose, knowing how to safely assist with medication administration can be a critical component of effective first aid response. At Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics, our Canadian Red Cross certified courses cover the principles and techniques for assisting with medication in emergency situations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of when and how you can help an ill or injured person with their medication, the legal considerations involved, and the important safety precautions you should follow.

Understanding the Role of a First Aider with Medications

As a first aider, your role is not to diagnose conditions or prescribe medications. Rather, your role is to assist a person with taking their own prescribed medication when they are unable to do so independently due to the severity of their condition. This distinction is important both legally and practically, and it forms the foundation for safe medication assistance in emergency situations.

Legal Considerations in Canada

In Canada, Good Samaritan legislation provides legal protection to individuals who provide reasonable assistance to someone in an emergency. This protection generally extends to helping a person take their own prescribed medication when the situation demands it. However, it is important to understand that as a first aider, you should only assist with medications that have been prescribed to the person you are helping, and you should always obtain the person’s consent before providing assistance if they are conscious and able to communicate.

The Five Rights of Medication Assistance

When assisting someone with medication, healthcare professionals follow the “five rights” framework to ensure safety. While this framework was designed for clinical settings, it provides valuable guidance for first aiders as well. The five rights are the right person, meaning you are assisting the correct individual with their own medication. The right medication, meaning you have confirmed that the medication is what the person says they need. The right dose, meaning the correct amount is being administered. The right route, meaning the medication is being given in the correct way, such as orally, by injection, or by inhalation. And the right time, meaning the medication is being given when it is actually needed.

Common Emergency Medications You May Encounter

There are several medications that first aiders commonly encounter in emergency situations. Understanding these medications, their purposes, and the basic steps for assisting with their administration can help you respond more effectively. Detailed instruction on these medications is provided in our first aid courses.

Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known by brand names like EpiPen, are prescribed to individuals with known severe allergies who are at risk of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause the airway to swell shut and blood pressure to drop dangerously low. The epinephrine works by constricting blood vessels, relaxing the muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, and stimulating the heart. To assist with an auto-injector, remove the safety cap, firmly press the tip against the outer thigh, hold for several seconds as directed by the specific device, and then remove. The injection can be given through clothing if necessary. After administration, call 911 immediately if you have not already done so.

Asthma Inhalers

Metered-dose inhalers, often called puffers or rescue inhalers, are prescribed to people with asthma to quickly open constricted airways during an asthma attack. These inhalers typically contain a bronchodilator medication such as salbutamol. To assist someone with their inhaler, help them sit upright in a comfortable position, shake the inhaler well, and help them place the mouthpiece between their lips. Instruct them to breathe out gently, then press the canister while they breathe in slowly and deeply. They should hold their breath for about ten seconds before exhaling. If the person uses a spacer device with their inhaler, ensure it is properly attached before administering the medication.

Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is prescribed to individuals with angina or other heart conditions to relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. It is commonly available as a small tablet that is placed under the tongue or as a spray. To assist someone with nitroglycerin, help them sit or lie down in a comfortable position, and help them place the tablet under their tongue or administer the spray as they are accustomed to doing. The person should not swallow the tablet but allow it to dissolve. If chest pain persists after five minutes, a second dose may be taken as directed by their physician. If pain continues after three doses, treat the situation as a potential heart attack and ensure emergency services are en route.

Oral Glucose

People with diabetes may experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which can cause confusion, shakiness, sweating, weakness, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. If the person is conscious and able to swallow safely, you can assist them with taking oral glucose tablets, gel, or sugary drinks such as fruit juice. Do not give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious or unable to swallow safely, as this poses a choking and aspiration risk. If the person is unresponsive, place them in the recovery position and call 911.

Aspirin for Suspected Heart Attack

In cases of suspected heart attack, having the person chew one regular-strength aspirin (325 mg) or two low-dose aspirin (81 mg each) can help improve blood flow by preventing further clot formation. However, you should only offer aspirin if the person is not allergic to it, is conscious and able to swallow, and emergency services have been contacted. If the person has been advised by their doctor not to take aspirin, or if there is any uncertainty about allergies, do not administer it. This guidance is part of CPR and AED training protocols.

Step-by-Step Guide to Assisting with Medication

Regardless of the type of medication involved, there is a general process you should follow when assisting someone with their medication in an emergency. Following these steps helps ensure that you provide safe and effective assistance.

Assess the Situation

Before assisting with any medication, assess the overall scene for safety and determine the nature of the person’s condition. Ask the person what is wrong and whether they have any prescribed medication for their condition. If the person is unable to communicate, look for a medical alert bracelet or necklace that may provide information about their condition and medications.

Obtain Consent

If the person is conscious and responsive, obtain their verbal consent before providing any assistance. Explain what you intend to do and ask if they would like your help. If the person is unresponsive or unable to provide consent, implied consent allows you to provide assistance in a life-threatening emergency, as it is reasonable to assume that a reasonable person would want life-saving help.

Verify the Medication

Before helping administer any medication, verify that it is prescribed to the person you are helping by checking the label on the medication. Confirm the dosage with the person if they are able to communicate, and check the expiration date if visible. If you have any doubts about the medication, contact emergency services for guidance before proceeding.

Assist with Administration

Help the person take their medication according to the directions for that specific type of medication. Follow the person’s guidance if they are able to communicate, as they will be familiar with their own medication routine. If you are uncertain about the proper technique, follow the instructions on the medication packaging or contact emergency services for guidance.

Monitor and Document

After the medication has been administered, continue to monitor the person’s condition for any improvement or deterioration. Note the time the medication was given and the dose administered, as this information will be valuable for the emergency medical team when they arrive. Be prepared to provide additional first aid measures including CPR if the person’s condition worsens.

Watch: First Aid Medication Assistance

When NOT to Give Medication

There are important situations where you should not assist with or administer medication. Understanding these limitations is just as important as knowing when to help. Never give a person medication that was not prescribed to them specifically. Do not give oral medications or fluids to someone who is unconscious, semi-conscious, or unable to swallow safely. Avoid giving medication if the person expresses uncertainty about whether they should take it. If the medication appears expired, damaged, or tampered with, do not use it. And never attempt to administer injectable medications other than auto-injectors designed for layperson use unless you have specific training to do so.

The Value of Comprehensive First Aid Training

Assisting with medication in an emergency requires knowledge, confidence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. These are skills that are best developed through hands-on training with qualified instructors. Our Standard First Aid and Emergency First Aid courses provide detailed instruction on medication assistance, including practice with training devices such as epinephrine auto-injector trainers and inhaler simulators. Whether you are a parent, teacher, workplace safety officer, or simply someone who wants to be prepared for emergencies, investing in first aid training is one of the best decisions you can make. Visit our blog for more first aid guides, or contact us to find a course near you.