Medication Flashcards
Discuss the role and responsibilities of the nurse in promoting the quality use of medicines. • Discuss legislation and policy governing the handling, and administration of medications. • Discuss the essential parts of a legal (valid) medication order, tall man lettering and bar coding. • Use best practice terms, abbreviations and symbols associated with medication documentation. • Describe the “rights” and “three checks” of safe and accurate medication administration
What are the 4 objectives of Australia National Medicines Policy
- Timely access to the
medicines, at an affordable cost - Medicines meet appropriate standards of
quality, safety & efficacy - Maintaining a responsible and viable medicines industry
- Quality Use of Medicines (one of the main objectives).
Quality use of medicines; Who is involved?
- Doctors
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Allied health
professionals (physiotherapist, dieticians,
speech pathologists,
occupational therapists) - Nurses
What is a medicine? (according to Aus gov department)
Medicines are substances that help our bodies – physically or mentally – to prevent, treat or cure diseases.
What are the 5 classifications of medicines
- Prescription medicines
(Antibiotics e.g. Amoxicillin) - Non-Prescription medicines (Paracetamol)
- Generic versus Brand name medicines
(Paracetamol instead of Panadol) - Vaccines
(Influenza, Covid-19) - Biological medicines (Insulin e.g. Optisulin)
Poison Schedule
1 Blank - Not currently in use
2 Pharmacy medicine
3 Pharmacist only medicine
4 Prescription only medicine
4 R/D Subset of prescription only medicines
5 Caution (commonly used for domestic purposes e.g. acetone)
6 Poison (substances used in agricultural, industry, photography eg rodent baits)
7 Dangerous poison (eg arsenic)
8 Controlled drug (eg morphine)
9 Prohibited substances (eg heroin)
10 Substances of such danger to health at to warrant
prohibition of supply and use (e.g. lead)
Generic v Brand name medicines
share the
same active ingredient.
Generic = Active ingredient often chemical name (cheaper)
Trade/brand name: Used for marketing
Generic name required on all prescriptions
What are Prescriptions?
- Are a legal document
- ONLY doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners and midwife practitioners can prescribe
What to check for validity on a prescription?
- Date
- Full patient name
- DOB
- URN/MRN (if inpatient)
- Drug generic name
(active ingredient) - Dose
- Route
- Frequency
- Prescriber signature
- Prescriber name
- Contact number (doesn’t have to)
what are the 6 orders of medication
- Regular order
- Stat order – give immediately and only once
- PRN order – ‘as needed’; the nurse uses good judgment about
whether the medication is needed & when it can be safely
administered. - Single order – one-time order, at specific time
- Standing order – permits nurses to administer medication in certain circumstances without a prior written order; protocols in place; must be signed by MO within 24hrs
- Emergency telephone (electronic/facsimile) order
What is Tall man lettering
Typographic technique: uses selective capitalization to help differentiate similar medications
Factors that influecne type of medication prescribed
- Primary diagnosis & co-morbidities
- Allergy status
- Current status - symptoms, signs
- Medication literacy and safety
What are the 6 rights of medication checks
Right Route
Right Drug
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Patient
Right Documentation
What are the 3 checks?
1st= initial location of medication
2nd check= When preparing medication
3rd= before administering to pt (and before putting meds away).
