The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) for the handling and administration of medications, and how these are applied in organisations:
approved drug and fluid abbreviations
Australian and New Zealand scheduling for drugs and poisons
Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion guidelines (ANZSBT)
codes of practice
records management requirements
storage
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
work health and safety (WHS)
pharmacology for drugs commonly used in anaesthesia, including:
sources of drugs (natural/endorphins/synthetic)
drug nomenclature (chemical/generic/brand names)
drug classifications
common abbreviations
pharmacodynamics - drug receptor interactions/dose-response relationships/therapeutic index
pharmacokinetics (ADME) absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion
pharmacotherapeutics
adverse drug reactions and interactions
toxicity/toxicology
drug administration routes:
enteral medication – endotracheal, sublingual, buccal, rectal, vaginal, urethral
parenteral medication - intravenous, intramuscular, intraosseous, intracardiac, intraarticular, intrauterine, intrathecal, subcutaneous, intra-arterial, inhalational
topical medication - subcutaneous, transnasal, transdermal, ocular, inhalational, aural
formulations, including
wafers
tablets
lozenges
capsules
elixir
suspension
solutions
creams
major drug groups used in anaesthesia - presentation, formulation, indication, mode of action, system of delivery and administration routes, precautions, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions, storage requirements, factors influencing drug actions, dosage variations for different types of clients for all of the following:
inhalational induction agents
intravenous induction agents
analgesics
non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
anti-emetics
muscle relaxants
respiratory medications
anticoagulants
local anaesthetics
antibiotics
cardiovascular medication, including diuretics
electrolytes
drugs used in the management of the following conditions (which may complicate or co-exist with anaesthesia):
adrenal dysfunction
anaphylaxis
angina
bronchospasm
cardiac arrest
cardiac arrhythmias
congestive heart failure
coagulopathies
deep vein thrombosis
endocrine dysfunction
hypoglycaemia
hypotension
hyperglycaemia
hypertension
pulmonary oedema/embolism
raised intracranial/intra-ocular pressure
respiratory depression/compromise
stroke
seizure
uterine atony
methods of drug preparation, including:
dilutions
reconstitutions
factors to consider when calculating medication dosages including:
calculation formulae
calculation of dosages of injectable drugs (liquid, solid, unit dosages)
flow rate drops per minute
flow rate millilitres per hour
duration of infusion
paediatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area, age related dose reduction)
geriatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area and age)
methods of storage and handling of medication
equipment for administration of medications, including:
volumetric pumps
syringe drivers
consumables
infusion products and equipment:
rapid infusers
warming devices
burettes
infusion sets and attachments
blood and blood products
crystalloids
colloids
massive transfusion protocol
emergency medical management of anaphylaxis and adverse drug/fluid reactions