Hazards of Drug Administration

Question 1

What can go wrong with drugs

Answer 1

Mild allergy - rash
Severe allergy - anaphylaxis
Drug-drug interactions - can be fatal
Acute toxic reactions - can be fatal

Question 2

Describe a mild allergy rash

Answer 2

Urticarial reaction
May be systemic or local depending on drug administered
OR
Maculopapular reaction
Red and blotchy rash

Question 3

Give an example of a cause of a maculopapular rash

Answer 3

Penicillin reaction

Question 4

What is anaphylaxis

Answer 4

Significant movement of tissues from vascular system to peripheral tissues causing swelling

Question 5

What does anaphylaxis cause

Answer 5

Narrows the airways and reduces circulation

Question 6

What is a drug-drug interaction

Answer 6

When one drug interferes with the absorption, action or metabolism of another

Question 7

What are the different types of drug-drug interactions

Answer 7

Protein binding - warfarin and aspirin/NSAIDS

Drug metabolism - warfarin, simvastatin

Question 8

What can acute toxic reactions cause

Answer 8

Bone marrow suppression
Hepatotoxicity and biliary stress
Acute nephrotoxicity

Question 9

What are the different prescribing errors

Answer 9

The division to prescribe
Prescribing the wrong drug
Incompletely completing the prescription

Question 10

What are possible consequences of prescribing the wrong drug

Answer 10

Drug may cause an ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)
Drug may be ineffective to the treatment
Drug may be less effective to the treatment

Question 11

What should be included on the prescription

Answer 11

Patients name, Address, Age (Under 18)
Patient identifier - DoB, CHI number
Number of days treatment 
Drug to be prescribed 
Drug formulation and dosage
Instruction on quantity to be dispensed
Instructions to be given to the patient - precautions, advice, instructions, reactions
Signed - identifier of prescriber

Question 12

Describe prescription validity

Answer 12

Valid 6 months form date issued
Can have more than 1 item on a script
Can have more than 1 repeated dispensing occasion

Question 13

What is crucial when writing a prescription

Answer 13

Key patient information must be legible
Avoid abbreviations
Legal requirements for dentist to sign prescription - this confirms all information is correct and has been checked

Question 14

What are advantages of written instructions

Answer 14

Stressed patients may not remember instructions
Language issues may prevent proper understanding so multilingual or large print options are available
Contact number is there for patient issues with the medicine
Provides legal protection if post treatment course is questioned

Question 15

What advice should be given to patients

Answer 15

Take drugs at correct time and finish the course
If unexpected reactions occur then stop and contact prescriber
Known side effects should be discussed
Keep medicines safe especially from children
Good if given in written format

Question 16

What are the different ways to use aspirin and what are its side effects

Answer 16

Analgesic - reduce platelet count

Anti-platelet drug - pain relief