Session 1 and 2:

Question 1

Stage 2 medications - drug schedules:

Answer 1

Schedule 1: Blank
Schedule 2: Pharmacy medicine
Schedule 3: Pharmacist only medicine
Schedule 4: Prescription only medicine
Schedule 5: Caution - low - ‘can cause harm’
Schedule 6: Poison
Schedule 7: Dangerous drug
Schedule 8: Controlled drug

Question 2

Medication abbreviations:

Answer 2

Ac - before food
Pc - after food
OD - once daily
BD - twice daily
TDS - 3 times daily
QID - 4 times daily
PRN - when required
Mane - morning
Nocte - night
Stat - immediately
SC - subcutaneous
IM - intramuscular
IV - intravenous
G - gram
Mg - milligram
Mls - milliliters

Question 3

Rights of medication:

Answer 3

1. Right patient
2. Right medication (right expiry date)
3. Right dose
4. Right date and time
5. Right route
6. Right reason/indication (allergy check)
7. Right to refuse
8. Right documentation

Question 4

Reason for medication administration via injections:

Answer 4

• inability of the drug to be absorbed orally e.g. aminoglycoside antibacterial agents
• destroyed by digestive juices e.g. insulin
• rapid onset of action is required
• inability of the individual to take medications orally

Question 4

Needles sizes:

Answer 4

• Subcutaneous injections - small diameter needle 25 gauge
• Intramuscular injection - larger diameter needle 21-23 gauge

Question 4

Subcutaneous injections:

Answer 4

• involves injecting medication into hypodermis; the loose connective tissue under the dermis
• maximum volume for subcutaneous injection is 1ml
• can be administered at a 45-degree or 90-degree angle

Question 5

Subcutaneous injection sites:

Answer 5

• upper lateral aspect (middle third) of the upper arm
• the upper anterior thighs
• the abdomen below the costal margins to the iliac chest
• underlying muscles or nerves
• free from bony prominences

Question 6

Signs of infection at the injection site:

Answer 6

• severe pain
• redness and inflammation
• swelling
• warmth and drainage
• these symptoms should be reported immediately
• rotate injection sites to keep the skin healthy
• repeated injections in the same spot can cause scarring and hardening of fatty tissue that will interfere with uptake of medications
• each injection should be approx. 2cm apart