Medication Management Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the different routes of medication?
Liquids that are swallowed
Drops for eyes and ears
Creams/gels/ointments rubbed onto the skin
Inhalers
Patches on the skin (transdermal patches)
Tablets placed under the tongue (sublingual medicine)
Tablets which are swallowed and absorbed by the stomach
Injections or intravenous
What are the different types of medication?
Hormonal
Pain relief
Antipyrexial
Ienotropes
SSRIS/NSRIS/antipsychotics
Steroids
Anticonvulsants
Anticoagulants
Laxatives, diuretics
Inhalers, nebulisers
Controlled drugs (blue script)
Stimulants
Opioids
Benzodiazepines
Anaesthetics
Antiemetics
Antibiotics
What is the function of antibiotics?
They fight bacterial infections and work by killing the bacteria or halting their multiplication so that the body’s immune system can fight the infection (Hilmas, 2018)
What is the function of hormone drugs?
To produce chemicals/hormones which may be deficient, for example, someone with diabetes, is prescribed insulin to replace the missing hormone
What is the function of pain relief?
Used to block the pathways that transmit pain signals from the injured or irritated body part to the brain, to reduce the sensation of pain
What is the function of immunisations?
They keep people from getting sick in the first place by vaccinating or protecting the body against some infectious diseases
What are the different ways medication is processed in the body?
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
What is pharmacokinetics?
The movement of a drug through the body over time, which addresses the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
What is the aspect of the NMC code which relates to medication management?
Preserve safety: both patient and public by working within the limits of your competence, including advising on, prescribing, supplying, dispensing and administering medications
What is duty of candour?
This applies to medication administration errors. Healthcare professionals must be open and honest with patients when something that goes wrong with their treatment and haas the potential to cause harm or distress.
What are the 9 rights of medication administration?
Guideline for nurses to follow and to assist in decreasing the incidence of medication errors when administering medicine
- Right patient
- Right drug
- Right route
- Right time
- Right dose
- Right documentation
- Right action
- Right form
- Right response
What are the different types of weights and their abbreviations?
Kilogram = kg
Gram = g
Milligram = mg
Microgram = mcg
How to calculate the equivalent weight when going from a larger unit to a smaller unit?
Multiply (X) by 1000
e.g. 10kg (larger) to grams (smaller) = 10 x 1000 = 10.000g
How to calculate the equivalent weight when going from a smaller unit to a larger unit?
Divide (/) by 1000
e.g. 1000g (smaller) to kilograms (larger) = 1000/1000 = 1kg
What are the different types of volume and their abbreviations?
Litre (L)
Millilitre (mL or ml)
How do you calculate the equivalent volume when going from a larger unit to a smaller unit?
Multiply (X) by 1000
e.g. 10 litres (larger) to millilitres (smaller) = 10l x 1000 = 10000mls
How do you calculate the equivalent volume when going from a smaller unit to a larger unit?
Divide (/) by 1000
e.g. 100 millilitres (smaller) to litres (larger) = 100ml/1000 = 0.1 litres
What are the standard interval units for weight?
1 kilogram = 1000 grams
1 gram = 1000 milligrams
1 milligram = 1000 micrograms
1 microgram = 1000 nanograms
What are the standard interval units for volume?
1 litre = 1000 millitres
1 millilitre = 1000 microlitres
What is the key formula for dosage calculations?
What you want (dose required)/ what you have (strength available)
What is important to do when making dosage calculations?
Convert the units to what you have in the drug cupboard
What is the key formula for dosage calculations of liquid medications?
What you want (dose required)/ what you have (strength available) x the volume you have
