Course Code: REL-PAC-0-MEDI302
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
Learning Objectives:
• Define the terminology related to medication assistance
• Identify different types of medication orders
• Identify controlled substances and how to document the use and wasting of
• Recognize what is written on a pharmacy label and on over-the-counter medications
• Identify the types of forms used for communication and documentation of medication services
• Identify routes for medication consumption
• List common side effects of medications and discuss the difference between a side effect and an adverse drug effect
• Recognize the proper steps in assisting a resident or client with medication administration
Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Terminology and phrases
a. Independent administration
b. Adverse effect
c. Assisting with medication administration
d. Medication administration
e. Medication reminding
f. Authorized person
g. Controlled substance
h. Enabler
i. Error
j. Medication administration record (MAR)
k. Medication organizer
l. Legend drug m.Narcotic medication
n. Over-the-counter (OTC)medication
o. Prescribed medication
p. Prescriber
q. PRN medication order
r. Side effect
3. What is a medication?
a. Generic names
i. Given by manufacturer
ii. Usually chemical name of drug
iii. One generic name for each drug
b. Brand names
i. Given by drug company that produces the drug
ii. Identify medications by brand or generic name
iii.Use a medication resource book for information
c. Controlled substances
i. Numeric system to identify level of abuse and/or addiction potential
ii.Secure storage
iii.Shift to shift accountability
iv. Wasting and partial dose
v.Verbal orders
vi.Learning engagement: multiple choice questions
d.Schedule 1
i.High-abuse potential and are illegal in U.S.
1.Examples: heroin
e.Schedule 2
i.High-abuse potential, but are legal in U.S.
1.Example: Medications for pain, such as Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone, Dilaudid
f.Schedule 3
i.High-abuse potential though not as high as schedule 2; legal in U.S.
1.Examples: Hydrocodone, Tylenol with codeine
g.Schedule 4
i.Less abuse potential than Schedule 3
1.Examples: Ativan, Xanax, Valium
h.Schedule 5
i.Minimal abuse potential
ii.Examples: Lomotil
iii.Usually not double locked or counted
i.Learning engagement: True/False questions
4.Forms and routes of medications
a.Forms
i.Aerosol
ii.Caplet
iii.Capsule
iv.Cream
v.Elixir
vi.Extract
vii.Liniment
viii.Lotion
ix.Ointment
x.Paste
xi.Pellet/bead
xii.Pill
xiii.Solution
xiv.Spray
xv.Suppository
xvi.Suspension
xvii.Sustained release
xviii.Syrup
xix.Tablet
1.Scored
2.Enteric-coated
xx.Tincture
xxi.Transdermal
5.Routes for medication delivery
i.Buccal
ii.Ear
iii.Eye
iv.Inhalation
v.Injectable
vi.Nasal
vii.Oral
viii.Rectal
ix.Sublingual
x.Topical
6.Orders for medications
a.Who can prescribe
b.Regularly scheduled medication
c.PRN medication
i.Prescription medication
ii.Non-prescription medication
7.Medication Labels
a.Information on a prescription medication bottle
i.Prescription
ii.Prescriber
iii.Resident name
iv.Name of medication
v. Exact dose of medication
vi.Route of delivery
vii.Instructions
viii.Refills
ix.Warnings
b.Labels for PRN medications
i.Name of resident
ii.Name of medication
iii.Exact dosage
iv.Route of delivery
v.Reason for medication
vi.Minimum hours between doses
vii.Maximum hours between doses
viii.Maximum doses to be given in a 24-hour period
c.Information on OTC medication labeling
i.Active ingredient
ii.Purpose or type of drug
iii.Uses (symptoms or diseases being treated)
iv.Warnings
d.Do not alter the label
8.Medication Services
a.Regulations
i.Differ by state
ii.Differ by care environment
iii.Documentation of training
b.Administering versus assisting
1.Transferring medications from containers
2.Injectable medications
3.Medication alteration
ii.Learning engagement activity: true/false
9.Steps to medication assistance
a.Prescription order/physician authorization
b.Order to pharmacy
i.Dispensed and delivered
c.Receipt and storage of medication
i.Maintain log of centrally stored medications
1.Conduct count of medication received
2.Compare with order
3.System for refills
ii.Medication storage
1.Central and locked
2.Not accessible to others
3.Storage of non-prescription medication
d.Documentation of self-administration of medications
i.Medication administration requirements
ii.Regularly scheduled
iii.PRN
e.Prepared for self-administration at correct time
i.Order and label/prescription verification
ii.Removal from container
iii.Transporting medication to resident
iv.Respecting privacy
v.Document on the MAR
f.Wasting Medications
g.Refusal of medications
h.Destroying, disposing, donating medications
i.Medication log
ii.Medication errors
i.PRN medications
i.Able to communicate
ii.Unable to communicate
10.Promoting medication safety
a.Requirements for safe medication assistance and management
i.Prescription
ii.Report problems and concerns
iii.Provide all medications as ordered
iv.Know why person is taking medications (reason it was prescribed)
1.Monitor for medication effectiveness
a.For example, blood pressure medication; measure blood pressure, monitor for reduced or elevated blood pressure, side effects
v.Side effect versus adverse effect.
1.Examples of an adverse effect
2.Examples of a side effect
vi.Learning engagement activity: Questions (multiple choice and true/false)
11.Case studies
a.Case: John Jones
i.Wears nitroglycerin patch
b.Case: Bessie Burton
i.Has Parkinson's disease, uses eye drops
c.Learning engagement activity: Case study questions true/false
d.Case: Marjorie Maxwell
iForgetful
e.Self-administration with assistance
i.Opening containers
ii.Reading labels
iii.Applying or instilling (skin, nose, eye, ear)
iv.Placing in person's hands
v.Alteration of medication
vi.Active participation
vii.Right to refuse
viii.Learning engagement activity: Questions true/false
f.Case: Frank Ford
i.Unable to remember meds or why taking them, not able to self-administer
1.Medication Administration
a.If cannot safely self-administer
g.Case: Alberta Callahan-multiple medication service needs
i.Administer
ii.Assist
iii.Independent
12.The six rights
a.The six rights
i.Right person
ii.Right drug
iii.Right dose
iv.Right time
v.Right route
vi.Right documentation
13.Conclusion and summary
Instructor: Holly Carlson, MS, RN, CCRN
Holly Carlson, MS, RN, CCRN, was a subject matter expert for Relias. She has 25 years of healthcare experience in both acute and post-acute healthcare environments. Her experience includes leadership and management across the healthcare spectrum. She has owned and operated an assisted living business. Carlson's clinical practice includes acute care, long-term acute care, home health and hospice. Carlson has served for over a decade in various board positions for State Nursing Associations, including president. She has been a nurse planner for multiple continuing education events and has experience as a leader in the design and implementation of an ANCC-CNE accredited approver unit for a multi-state nursing consortium. Carlson is certified as Critical Care Registered Nurse.
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Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.