Prescribing

Question 1

drug charts

Answer 1

• state name and address of patient; IMPORTANT
  
  • state date
  • state age if under 12
  • include current prescriptions
  • note allergies (e.g. penicillin) and responses
  • anticoagulants and insulin should be included

Question 2

dosage

Answer 2

• g, mg, or microgram, also nanogram (not often used; never ng)
  
  • mL for all volumes
  • write units in full (not just ‘u’)
  • check dose is appropriate for age, weight, renal function, and hepatic function
• 1 in 1000 = 1 mg/ml (1g in 1000ml)
• 0.1% = 1mg/ml (grams per 100ml; multiple % by 10)

Question 3

frequency and route

Answer 3

once (o.d.), twice (b.d.), thrice (t.d.s.) or four times daily (q.d.s)

p. r.n. = as as required; give minimum dosage interval
- indication
- frequency
- minimum dosage interval and max daily dose

NOTE: methotrexate = WEEKLY dose (high risk drug)

routes: po, im, iv, sc, neb (nebuliser)

Question 4

Key things to remember

Answer 4

beware similar names
look out for key interactions
be familiar with key adverse drug reactions and be alert for them!
renal impairment?
monitoring: how? Electrolytes? Renal/hepatic function?
females of child bearing age and breast-feeding
counselling: information including key SEs (dose, when, how, how many etc)

Question 5

Drug info

Answer 5

Use generic names; brand name if different bioavailability/effect

give indication for: ABx and PRN drugs

review dates

Question 6

continuous infusions

Answer 6

add