Elements and Performance Criteria
- Minimise potential risk to safe administration of medications
- Check expiry dates of medication prior to administration
- Check client medication chart in relation to timing and route of medication to be administered
- Raise issues related to drug and poison administration with the registered nurse or another appropriate person if the registered nurse is not available
- Check for and identify common contraindications and adverse reactions of prescribed medications and refer to the registered nurse
- Confirm client identity and check for any known allergies
- Ensure infection control methods are applied correctly
- Prepare for administration of non-injectable medications within scope of Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
- Explain the process of medication administration to the client and ensure their readiness
- Position the client appropriately prior to administration of medication
- Correctly identify administration route for each medication to be administered, using appropriate terminology
- Consider the effect of commonly used medications on the body prior to medication administration
- Prepare medications in accordance with legislative requirements and organisation guidelines
- Apply medication administration techniques and precautions specific to each client situation and as per medication orders
- Ensure medication is stored and disposed of in accordance with medical instructions and organisation policy and procedures
- Administer non-injectable medications within legal parameters
- Administer non-injectable medications within scope of own role in line with the jurisdictional legislative requirements and organisation policy
- Ensure infection control principles are applied in the administration of non-injectable medication
- Store medications in a safe manner according to legislative requirements and organisation policy
- Respond appropriately to signs of pain
- Monitor and report client response to administered medication
- Record administration of medications in accordance with relevant policy and procedures
- Evaluate client understanding of information provided
- Recognise acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications and act upon within role responsibility
- Implement emergency actions to address acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility
- Record and report response to emergency strategies
- Monitor client experiencing pain and undertake appropriate medication and non-medication therapies in consultation/collaboration with Registered Nurse
- Record and report effectiveness of pain relieving medication