Care & Administration of Medication

Learning Outcome

Assessment Criteria

Introduction - Understand the legislation and guidance in relation to administration of medicine

·         Identify key pieces of legislation and guidance related to administration of medication in own place of work.

·         Describe the roles and responsibilities of staff in relation to:

Preparing to administer medication

·         Explain why it is important to follow instructions on the preparation of medication provided.

·         Explain the importance of gaining consent from the service user prior to administering medication

·         Explain why establishing the nature and level of support required by the service user is important in relation to their needs and preferences.

·         List the checks that need to be made prior to administering medication

·         Describe the infection control precautions that need to be taken during preparation and administration of medication

·         Describe how to check the information on a medicine label

Supporting self-administration

·         Describe what factors are taken into consideration when carrying out a risk assessment for self-administration

·         Identify the records that must be in place when supporting self-administration

Know how to deal with problems with medication administration

·         Describe the actions to be taken when a service user refuses to take their medication

·         Describe the actions to be taken when an error in administration occurs

·         Explain the process for auditing medication in own place of work

·         Explain what ‘covert administration’ is and what the requirements are for implementing a covert administration plan.

·         Identify ways to reduce medication errors

Understand how the effects of medication are monitored

·         Identify common side effects of medication of widely used medicines

·         Describe the actions to be taken when an adverse reaction or side effects are suspected

·         Explain the importance of medication reviews