Unit 4222-616 Answers

UNIT 4222 – 616 ADMINISTER MEDICATION TO INDIVIDUALS AND MONITOR EFFECTS

Outcome 1 – Understand legislation, policy and procedures relevant to administration of medication
1 There are numerous Acts and Regulations that cover the administration of medication, these include -
Health and Social Care Act
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
COSHH (Control of substances hazardous to health)
Medicines Act 1968 stating a doctor/pharmacist is responsible for supply of medication only on receipt of a prescription)
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This controls the use of controlled drugs, preventing misuse of these.
Company medication policy providing administration guidelines and procedures
Misuse of drugs Regulations 2007. This specifies how
drugs are to be handled, stored and the recording of such drugs.
Safer Management of controlled drugs Regulations. This specifies how to store, administer and dispose of controlled drugs
Outcome 2 – Know about common types of medication and their use
2.1 Below is a table specifying some common drugs, effects and potential side effects.

DRUG
EFFECTS
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

Analgesics
Relives minor aches and pains, reduces fever, anti inflammatory
Ulcers, addiction, liver damage, stomach bleeding
Anti coagulants
Prevent blood clotting
Haemorrhages, sever bruising, prolonged nosebleeds, blood in vomit, chest pain, difficulty breathing
Anti depressants
Change chemical balance in the brain
Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, restlessness, increased appetite, sleep difficulties
Antibiotics
Treats bacterial infection
Diarrhoea, nausea, thrush, kidney problems, blood disorders 2.2 Medication which requires specific physiological measurements include drugs such as-
Insulin – a pinprick blood test is needed so that glucose can be measured before the insulin is administered
Warfarin – blood levels must be checked regularly as warfarin is a blood thinner
Digoxin – pulse needs to be checked prior to administration as this drug slows and steadies the heart
2.3 Common adverse reactions to medication include –
Breathing difficulties, swelling around mouth/face, nausea, vomiting, rash/blotches, confusion, hallucinations/delusions.
The side effects can be recognised by reading the information leaflet provided with the drug or by contacting the pharmacist.
Should a side effect occur, medical help must be sought and the prescribing General Practitioner and dispensing pharmacist informed.
Details of the sides effects and action taken must be recorded on the Medication Administration Record and in the daily log.

2.4 Medicine can be administered by various routes such as –

Oral – swallowed by mouth such as pill or liquid
Rectal – inserted into the rectum
Intravenously – injected into a vein using a syringe or intravenous line
Infusion – injected into a vein with an intravenous line and slow drip
Intramuscular – injected into muscle through the skin using a syringe
Topical – applied to the skin
Nasal – by use of a spray or pump delivering the drug into the nose
Inhaled – inhalation through a tube or mask
Otic – ear drops
Ophthalmic – drops, ointment or gel into the eye
Sublingual – given under the tongue
Buccal – the drug is held inside the mouth against the cheek
Transdermal – skin patch
Subcutaneous – the drug is injected just under the skin
Outcome 3 – Understand procedures and techniques for the administration of medication
3.1 Whichever route medication is being administered by, gloves must be worn and hands washed both before and after administration.
ROUTE
TYPE, PURPOSE, FUNCTION OF
EQUIPMENT

Oral
Gloves should be worn to avoid cross infection. Medication cups or spoons can be used to administer oral drugs. Syringes would be used if liquid medication
Inhalation
Inhalers are used worked by the individual or set automatically to activate when the individual breathes in. Nebulisers may also be used involving liquid placed in a chamber at the bottom of a mask. A mist of the medication is released into the mask and the individual inhales
Transdermal
Medication administered in the form of a patch applied to the skin. Information on where to apply the patch and how to change these should be contained in the instructions
Topical
Topical medication comes in the form of a gel or cream.
Rectal
Rectal medication may only be given after training
Subcutaneous
This involves giving an injection.
Only after training can these drugs be administered
Intramuscular
This involves giving an injection which may only be carried out by a trained nurse or a doctor

3.2 Both prescriptions and medical administration charts should show the full name, date of birth and address of the individual. Prescriptions must be signed and dated, printed from a computer or if handwritten, written in ink. Drugs should be named, the strength should be stated as should the dose to be given, route and form to be given and when the medication should be started and end.
Outcome 4 – Prepare for the administration of medication
4.2 Some medications need to reach a consistent level within the bloodstream to be effective, so medication needs to be given at the correct times to keep that level of drug in the system. If medication is not given at the correct time this may result in overdose, possible allergic reactions to the drug and interactions between multiple drugs.
Outcome 5 – Administer and monitor individual’s medication
5. Any problems with the administration of medication should be recorded on the MAR chart and Manager informed immediately, who is responsible for informing the individual’s General Practitioner and, if applicable, their social worker. The refusal should also be recorded in the daily log
book.
5.5 It may be necessary to ensure an individual actually takes their medication to help prevent a deterioration in their condition . If medication is passed to others this may result in another person’s overdose, make them feel ill or possibly fatal.
5.7 Out of date and part used medication should be disposed of as soon as possible. The medication should be returned to the pharmacy for safe disposal. It is good practice to obtain a signed receipt from the pharmacy. A record should be made on the MAR chart and a log made in the daily log book stating the date of disposal/return to pharmacy, name and strength of the medication, quantity disposed of and the name of the person for whom it was prescribed.