The management and administration of medicines is an important role for the nurse. Practitioners must be able to demonstrate competence in technical aspects of medicines management such as storage and safe administration as well as learning to exercise professional judgement.
Students will learn the legal and ethical aspects of medicines management as well as the psychological, cultural, social and behavioural issues that affect the decisions patients make about using medicines effectively. Students will gain an understanding of how drugs are developed, how they work and how the benefits and side effects of common drugs relate to patient care.
This module will continue the preparation of student nurses from all fields of practice to deliver medications to their patients and service users safely.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should, with reference to the research and literature, be able to:
Describe the metabolism of commonly used medicines incorporating the principles of pharmacology and routes of delivery. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Describe the effects and side effects of key medications appropriate to their field of practice with consideration of how to explain the safe and effective use of these drugs to their patients or clients. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Describe the safe storage and administration of medicines with reference to the relevant legal and ethical concerns and taking into consideration. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Calculate correct dosage of a range of oral and injectable medication. (Unseen Exam (Part 1))
Demonstrate problem solving ability in relation to case studies in their field of practice incorporating drug calculation, ethical and legal concerns, communication skills and specific drug knowledge. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Discuss the factors that influence patient/client concordance and demonstrate knowledge of effective communication skills in relation to drug administration and monitoring. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Discuss how a therapeutic relationship with patients or clients facilitates their understanding of and effective use of medications. (Unseen Exam (Part 2))
Assessment
24161-01 : Written Portfolio (2000 words) : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Unseen Exam 3 hours
Part 1: 1 hour drug calculations, 70% pass mark – pass or fail. Does not contribute to the mark awarded for the assessment but acts as an internal hurdle. The student must pass this section in order to pass the module but the module mark is entirely based on performance in Part 2,
Part 2: 2 hour short answer questions using field of practice relevant case studies to explore the students understanding of legal, ethical and clinical issues related to the safe administration, concordance with and monitoring of medicines
Pass mark 40%
Unseen Exam forms 100% of the module mark
Reassessment: Re-sit failed element only
Other
Reading List
Mutsatsa S (2011) Medicines management in mental health nursing (Transforming Nursing Practice) Exeter, Learning Matters
Healy D (2008) Psychiatric drugs explained Oxford, Churchill Livingston
Medicines management
Drugs
Calculations
Lapham R, Agar H (2009) Drug calculations for nurses: a step by step approach London, Hodder Arnold OR
Blair K (2011) Medicines management in children nursing (Transforming Nursing Practice) Exeter, Learning Matters OR
Lawson E, Hennefer DL (2010) Medicines management in adult nursing (Transforming Nursing Practice) Exeter, Learning Matters OR
Websites: http://bnf.org; http://nmc-uk.org
Starking S, Krause L (2010) Passing calculations tests for nursing students (Transforming Nursing Practice) Exeter, Learning Matters.
Banning M (2007) Medication management in care of older people Oxford, Wiley Blackwell
