unit 36 Essay

Submitted By michelle-sarrington
Words: 942
Pages: 4

UNIT 36 1.1 Identify current legislation, guidelines policies and protocols relevant to the administration of medication Medicines Act (1968)
The Health and safety at work act
The health and social care act (2008)
Control of substances hazardous to health regulations (COSHH)
The misuse of drugs regulations
Data protection act

2.1 Describe common types of medication including their effects and potential side­effects Analgesics: i.e. Codeine, used for pain relief, side effects can be light­headedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and sedation. Codeine can also cause allergic reactions, symptoms of which include constipation, abdominal pain, rash and itching. Antihistamines are mainly used to treat hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), hives (urticaria), itching (pruritus) and insect bites and stings. They may be used to help reduce feeling sick
(nausea) and being sick (vomiting). They may also be used in the emergency treatment of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The side­effects most commonly experienced are minor,Drowsiness,headache,dizziness,agitation,dry mouth,blurred vision,difficulty passing urine
(urinary retention) and stomach and gut upset.

Antibiotics: i.e. Amoxicillin, a penicillin based antibiotic which fights bacteria in your body. It can only be taken if you are not allergic to Penicillin and do not have asthma, liver or kidney disease, or a history of diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. It is used to treat many different types of infections, such as ear infections, bladder infections, pneumonia, and salmonella however it can cause side effects including sores inside your mouth, fever, swollen glands, joint pain, muscle weakness, severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash, yellowed skin, yellowing of the eyes, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness, easy bruising, and vaginal itching.

2.2 Identify medication which demands the measurement of specific physiological measurements Drugs like insulin (blood has to be taken from a pinprick so that glucose can be measured before the insulin can be given.
Theophylline which is used to treat.asthma,copd,heart failure.With theophylline there is a narrow margin with the blood levels of theophylline for the medicine to be effective a blood test is needed to check levels,to make sure you have the right dose.
Warfarin is a blood thinning drug,warfarin needs to have blood levels checked once or twice a week two give the right dose.warfarin is taken once per day and usually in the evening. 2.3 Describe the common adverse reactions to medication, how each can be recognised and the appropriate action(s) required Common adverse reactions are diarrhoea, skin rashes, sickness, facial swelling, blistering of the skin and wheezing. These can all be recognised by reading the side effects on medication packets or contacting a pharmacist. The appropriate action to take if a person supported is having an adverse reaction is to contact doctors/hospital so they can be treated appropriately. 2.4 Explain the different routes of medicine administration Oral swallowed by mouth as a pill, liquid, tablet or lozenge rectal route: suppository inserted into the rectum intravenous route: injected into vein with a syringe or into intravenous (IV) line infusion: injected into a vein with an IV line and slowly dripped in over time intramuscular route: injected into muscle through skin with a syringe topical route: applied to skin nasal: sprays or pumps that deliver drug into the nose inhaled: inhaled through a tube or mask (e.g. lung medications) otic: drops into the ear ophthalmic: drops, gel or ointment for the eye sublingual: under the tongue buccal: held inside the cheek transdermal: a patch on the skin 3.1 Explain the types, purpose and function of materials and equipment needed for the administration of medication via the different routes