Medications & nursing practice

Question 1

What is the federal legislation governing medications?

Answer 1

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth)

Question 2

What is the state legislation governing medications?

Answer 2

Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic)

Question 3

What is SUSMP?

Answer 3

• Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons
• Promotes uniform scheduling of drugs throughout Australia

Question 4

Schedules:

Answer 4

1. Intentionally blank
2. Pharmacy medicines
3. Pharmacy-only medicines (Eg. Ventolin, insulin), requires advice from pharmacist
4. Prescription medicines (eg. antibiotics)
5. Caution, low toxicity (eg. ammonia)
6. Poisons, moderate to high toxicity
7. Dangerous poisons, high level of toxicity
8. Controlled substances (eg. morphine, pethidine)
9. Prohibited substances (eg. heroin, cannabis)
10. Substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use (eg. coal tar)

Question 5

What schedules of medicines can an RN give without a medical order?

Answer 5

None

Question 6

What are the unique patient identifiers that must be checked before medication administration?

Answer 6

1. Name
2. DOB
3. UR number

Question 7

Under Victorian law, how many RNs must check a schedule 8 drug out of a safe?

Answer 7

1

Question 8

Under ANMF guidelines, how many RNs must check a schedule 8 drug out of a safe?

Answer 8

2