Medication Management- Oral, Topical and Inhaled routes Flashcards
Discuss medication safety and quality strategies aimed at preventing medication errors. • Demonstrate knowledge of common medication errors and factors that influence them. • Identify the steps to take in the event of a medication error and/or near-miss event. • Identify physiological factors and individual variables affecting medication action. • Discuss best practice approaches to safe medication management for children and older adults. • Discuss the correct storage of medications
What are common medication errors
- Incorrect admission documentation
- Errors in
prescription;
incorrect dose - One of the ‘rights’ is wrong! * Omission of a medication
- Continuation of medication
after discharge - Administration of medication when there is an allergy
- Errors in documentation
- Failure to recognize adverse side effects
- Lack of patient education
Why do we get them wrong?
- Similar names and packaging
- Distractions of medication rounds
- Rushing
- Not understanding medication and use
- Not knowing expected effect of medication
- Dangerous abbreviations
- Not documenting at the time of administration
What are strategies to get it right?
- Medication history, medication management plan, reconciliation
- National Standard Medication Chart
- Generic names
- Terminology, abbreviations and symbols
- Electronic medication systems; barcode scanning
- User applied labelling (IV lines, syringes, catheters)
- TallMAN lettering
What are the Colour codings - user applied labelling of injectable medicines
Intra-arterial= RED
Intravenous = BLUE
Neutral tissue (route= epidural/intrathecal/regional) = Yellow
Subcutaneous tissue = Beige
Miscellaneous = Pink
What are different Medication Routes(5 of them)
- Ophthalmic medication
- Rectal medication
- Topical medication
(Transdermal patches) - Inhaled medication
(nebuliser and inhaler) - Enteral medication
What is absorption and what factors influence it?
- the process by which a medication passes from the source of administration into the bloodstream.
Factors:
- body surface area, blood flow, presence of food, ability of medication to dissolve, lipid solubility of medication
- The route of administration
- medication form, such as:
liquid, capsule, tablet, enteric coated and more
What is distribution?
Transportation of a drug from its site of
absorption to its site of action.
What is Metabolism?
process by which a drug is transformed
into a less active or inactive form.
What is Excretion?
process by which metabolites and drugs are
eliminated from the body
Can you crush slow releasing medication.
Do not crush if slow release
- can increase risk of drug toxicity
About Storing vaccines
within the
temperature range of +20C to +80C
- Ideal is + 50C
