Legal Issues And Medication Administration

Question 1

Drug schedules most relevant to nurses

Answer 1

• schedule 4
  Prescription drugs
• schedule 8
  Controlled drug or drugs of addiction

Question 2

Storage of medications

Answer 2

• nurse in charge responsible
• s4 drugs stored out of public or patient access in with locked room or cupboard/trolley
• keys must be kept on the parson in charge or a delegate
• drug keys must be kept separate from the ward keys

Question 3

Who may administer medications?

Answer 3

Medical practitioners
Dentists
Nurses
Midwife
Pharmacists

Question 4

Emergency drug order (nursing context)

Answer 4

• verbal, telephone, fax or email orders
• phone order must be repeated back to prescriber
• doctor must write up the order ASAP or within 24 hours

Question 5

Poisons legislation

Answer 5

• each state and territory has specific legislation covering control of poisons
• statute vs legislation
• schedules of poisons
• legislation provides the framework for policy directives