Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to administer and monitor medications and intravenous (IV) therapy including calculating dosage requirements, interpreting written instructions from an authorised prescriber, assessing the person for medication effectiveness and side effects, and responding to an allergic pharmacological reaction.
This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Minimise potential risk to ensure safe administration of medications. | 1.1 Refer to drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law. 1.2 Identify the purpose and function of prescribed medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy. 1.3 Identify pharmacology and substance incompatibilities in relation to specific situations involving medication administration, blood and blood products. |
2. Prepare for medication administration and infusion of IV fluids. | 2.1 Explain the process of medication administration or IV fluid infusion to the person, and ensure their readiness and understanding. 2.2 Identify correct administration route or site for each medication or IV fluid to be administered, and position the person appropriately. 2.3 Consider the effect of commonly used medications and IV fluids on the body before medication administration and IV infusion. 2.4 Calculate accurate dosages and IV infusion rates for administration of drugs. 2.5 Prepare medications in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements and organisation policy and procedures. 2.6 Identify medication administration techniques and precautions specific to the person’s situation and as per medication orders. 2.7 Prepare blood and blood products for blood transfusions according to organisation policy and procedures. |
3. Administer and store medication. | 3.1 Administer medication or IV fluid to the person applying the ‘Rights of Medication’ concept and in accordance with the jurisdictional and legislative requirements and organisation policy and procedures. 3.2 Secure medications in a safe manner during medication administration. 3.3 Apply quality practices in management and use of medications, and undertake risk assessment practices that relate to medication administration. 3.4 Report to the registered nurse a person’s refusal of medication or IV therapy or suspected incomplete medication ingestion. 3.5 Ensure medication and blood and blood products are stored, handled and disposed of according to organisation policy and procedures and manufacturers’ instructions. |
4. Monitor and evaluate a person’s response to administered medication, IV fluids and blood and blood products. | 4.1 Document and monitor observations of the person’s response and whether intended outcome of administered medications, IV fluids and blood and blood products is achieved. 4.2 Recognise, record and report acute and delayed adverse reactions of the person to medications, and implement emergency actions within own role responsibility. 4.3 Record, report and evaluate fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and monitor the effect on the person of medicines commonly administered with IV fluids. 4.4 Remove IV cannula according to organisation policy and procedures 4.5 Provide educative information to the person, their family or carer concerning the administration of medicines including possible side effects. |
5. Assess effectiveness of pain-relieving therapy. | 5.1 Observe and question the person to identify signs of pain or discomfort. 5.2 Clarify the location and nature of pain or discomfort, taking into account factors that may influence the person’s perception of pain. 5.3 Ensure consistency in interpreting observations and evaluating the person’s pain using the pain assessment scale. 5.4 Identify a range of prescribed medications and complementary strategies that may assist in alleviating pain and discomfort. 5.5 Assess and manage effectiveness of pain-relieving medication and non-medication therapies for the person experiencing pain. 5.6 Record observations of the person and own evaluation the effectiveness of pain management strategies. |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines
calculated medications with 100% accuracy and used the ‘Rights of Medication’ to administer medication to at least 2 people in simulation and at least 3 people in the workplace, and which must include the following routes:
oral
sub-cutaneous injection
calculated medications with 100% accuracy and used the ‘Rights of Medication’ to administer medication in the workplace or in a simulation environment to at least 2 people, and which must include the following routes:
intramuscular injections
peripheral IV injection
safely prepared equipment for IV therapy and blood and blood products administration, and monitored IV therapy and blood and blood products administration in the workplace or in simulated environment to at least 2 people including assessing cannula site.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 requirements for practice parameters of enrolled nurse in relation to the administration and documentation of medications, including legal requirements for each route of administration
legal and regulatory framework including
health (drugs and poisons) regulations
State/Territory drugs and poisons Acts
State/Territory nurse regulatory authority codes and guidelines
National Safety and Quality Health Standard (NSQHS) ‘Preventing and Controlling Health Care Associated Infections’
Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score (VIPS)
scheduled medications and interpretation of scheduling of medications - Schedule 2, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 8
forms of medication and how they are handled, calculated, administered and stored, including:
capsules
drops
inhalants
liquid
lotions and creams
ointments
patches
powders
tablets
wafers
suppositories
pharmacology of medications, including:
pharmacodynamics
pharmacokinetics
pharmacotherapeutics
toxicology
anaphylactic reactions
adverse reactions
contraindications
precautions
side effects
potential complications of blood transfusion including:
pain at IV site and arm
loin pain
urticaria (hives)
nausea and vomiting
headache
flushing, chills or fever
anxiety
tachycardia
wheezing, progressing to cyanosis
haematuria
anaphylactic reaction or shock
cardiac arrest
death
how to transport, store, handle, check and dispose blood and blood products safely
‘Rights of medication’ - the right medication (drug, medication, medicines), right dose, right prescription (documentation), right route, right time, right person, right expiration date, right to refuse
how medication is administered via the following routes or methods:
oral
sublingual, buccal
dry powder inhalers
metered dose, spacer inhalers
nebulisers
oxygen therapy
subcutaneous injection
intramuscular injections
IV injections
Z-track injections
peripheral IV infusion, cannulation fluid
enteral administration - Percutaneous Gastrostomy (PEG) as well as nasogastric tubes
intranasal, including nebulised medications
ocular
rectal
subcutaneous, intramuscular routes
sub-cutaneous injection using pre-loaded syringes or pens
topical, including transdermal
vaginal
ventrogluteal injection technique
IV medication administration methods including:
bolus
gravity
electronic pump infusion
via burette
IV piggyback, tandem
syringe driver
sub-cut lines
pathophysiology related to medicine groups including but not limited to:
Anaesthetics Analgesia Antacids Antianginals antianxiety Antiarrhythmics Antibiotics Anticholinergics Anticoagulants | Anticonvulsants Antidepressants Antidiarrhoeals Antiemetics Antifungals Antihistamines Antihypertentives Anti-inflammatory |
Antineoplastics Antiparkinsonion Antipruritic Antipsychotics Antiseptics Antiulcer Antivirals Anxiolytics | Hormones Hypnotics, sedatives Hypoglycaemics Insulin |
Beta-blockers Bronchodilators | Electrolyte solutions |
Laxatives/aperients | Ophthalmic, otic nasal medications |
Contraceptives Corticosteroids | Diuretics |
Narcotic analgesia Neuroleptics | Vitamins |
factors to consider when calculating medication dosages including:
calculation formulae
calculation of dosages of injectable drugs including liquid, solid unit dosages
flow rate drops per minute
flow rate millilitres per hour
paediatric dosage calculations - considering body weight, surface area and age-related dose reduction
geriatric dosage calculations - considering body weight, surface area and age
dose administration aids (DAAs) where dose is already calculated
organisation policy and procedure for addressing medication errors
drugs commonly used for fluid and electrolyte imbalance:
acidifiers, alkalisers
diuretics
electrolytes
replacement solutions.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment as specified in the performance evidence. The requirement of the performance evidence to calculate medication with 100% accuracy and used the ‘Rights of Medication’ to administer medication must be demonstrated using simulation before being demonstrated in the workplace and with members of the public. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s Standards including:
simulation manikins appropriate for the administration of medications via various routes including IV
equipment for medication administration via various routes, including:
pill cutter and pill crusher
nebuliser
Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS)
samples of medications, including:
tablets
capsules
drops
enema
inhalants
liquid (ampoules, bottles, capsules)
lotion and cream
ointments
patches
powders
wafers
suppositories
pre-loaded sub-cutaneous injections
pharmacology resources for medication interactions
equipment for IV therapy, including:
variety of IV line sets for gravity infusion, blood and blood products, IV injections and electronic pump infusions
syringe pump
information and documentation such as medication charts on which the candidate bases the planning
organisation policy and procedures on which the candidate bases the planning
modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.