Hazards of drug administration and prescribing errors

Question 1

what are the hazards of drug administration?

5

Answer 1

mild allergy
severe allergy (anaphyaxis)
drug interactions
acute toxic reactions
death

Question 2

what is an allergy and common symptoms?

6

Answer 2

reaction of the immune system to a substance
symptoms:
* rash/hives
* itchy skin/eyes
* runny nose / sneezing
* coughing / wheezing
* nausea / vomiting

Question 3

what is anaphylaxis and how is it treated?

Answer 3

severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction
urgent medical treatmetn required - adrenaline

Question 4

what is drug interaction and what can it affect?

2

Answer 4

reaction between 2 or more drugs or food/drink
affects how the drug works or causes unwanted side effects

Question 5

what is drug toxicity?

Answer 5

when a person has too much of a drug in their system leading to adverse effects

Question 6

what factors determine toxicity of a drug?

3

Answer 6

chemical structure
absorption
body’s ability to metabolise and eliminate drug

Question 7

what is an acute toxic reaction?

Answer 7

adverse effects of a substance that occur following single exposure or multiple exposures in a short period of time

Question 8

which dentists can prescribe from the BNF?

Answer 8

private dentists
hospital dentists

Question 9

what can a NHS dentist prescribe from?

Answer 9

DPF - dental practitioner’s formulary

Question 10

what are the different types of prescription forms that different dentists can prescribe from ?

3

Answer 10

GP14 forms in primary care (Scotland)
HBP (hospital based prescriptions) for outpatients
private forms on headed notepaper

Question 11

what do you need to include when writing a prescription?

10

Answer 11

full name, age and address of pt
date - valid for 6 months
name and address of prescriber (stamp)
status and signature of prescriber
name of drug
form and strength of drug
dose and dose frequency of drug
duration of treatment
total quantity
instructions - how and when

Question 12

what advice to patients do you need to give?

4

Answer 12

finish course if antibiotics - no alcohol?
how many to take and when
known side effects
keep medications safe away from kids

Question 13

what prescribing errors can occur?

3

Answer 13

decision to prescribe - different treatment better?
precribing wrong drug
completing form incorrectly - dosage, drug, preparation