Introduction to Prescribing Flashcards
WHO Steps of Good Prescribing
- Define patient’s problem (diagnosis)
- Specify therapeutic objective
- Verify suitability of P-treatment (preferred drug)
- Start treatment
- Give information, instructions and warnings (educate)
- Monitor treatment and reconsider
Diagnose, Specify, Verify Suitability, Treatment, Educate, Monitor
REVISE STEP 3!!
BNF
British National Formulary
Indications
What a drug is used for
Cautions
When not to use
Contraindicated
Do not take in x circumstance
REVISE FROM LECTURE NOT SLIDES
Hepatic Impairment
Considerations to take if patient has liver disease
Renal Impairment
Considerations to take if patient has kidney disease
Monitoring Requirements
Body functions that must be monitored before/during/after starting the drug
e.g. Renal function, Liver Function Tests, Electrolytes, Lipids, BP, Plasma Concentrations
(Don’t memorise the examples)
How to communicate side effects to patients
Think of the three main side effects you want to communicate to a patient so that you don’t overwhelm them
Components of a hospital prescription/drug chart
State name and address of patient Start date DoB Current Pescriptions Emergency drugs Regular Drugs (e.g. Antimicrobials) Medicines brought in/stopped Enoxaparin
Hospital Charts
- Allergies (e.g. Penicillin and response)
- Anticoagulants
- Insulin
Stat Drugs
Emergency drugs
Drugs given to patients in an emergency; found on hospital/prescription chart
Dose, drug name, route and condition to treat are provided
Enoxaparin
Anticoagulant; every patient in hospital should be assessed as to whether they need to be prescribed an anticoagulant for deep vein thrombosis as this is much more likely to happen when lying down for long time periods
Stockings are also always given to patients to promote venous return
Information Given on Drug Chart for each drug
Drug Name Dose Route Start/Stop Date Indication Signature at prescription and administration
Notes on writing dosages
g, mg or microgram
Microgram NOT ug or mcg
Nanogram not ng
mL for volumes
Write Units in full
Factors to keep in mind during dosage considerations
Age
Weight
Renal (eGFR)/Hepatic Function
