Medications - Advanced (Administration - Part 2)
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09050
Max group:
12
Advanced course on safe and effective medication administration techniques in healthcare settings
Course Summary
Medications - Advanced (Administration - Part 2)
This advanced course builds upon foundational knowledge of medication administration, focusing on more complex techniques and practices in healthcare settings. It covers the safe administration of various types of medications, including injectable, intravenous (IV), and controlled substances. Participants will gain deeper insights into pharmacokinetics, patient-specific considerations, and managing challenging scenarios in medication administration. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with the advanced skills necessary for effective and safe medication delivery, enhancing patient outcomes. Key Learning Objectives: Advanced Administration Techniques: Learn the proper techniques for administering injectable medications, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous routes. Understand the procedures for safe IV medication administration, including preparing IV infusions and managing IV sites. Pharmacokinetics and Medication Absorption: Understand how the body processes medications (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion). Apply pharmacokinetic principles to tailor medication administration for individual patient needs. Managing Controlled Substances and High-Risk Medications: Learn the legal and regulatory requirements for administering controlled substances. Safely manage high-risk medications, including opioids, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy agents. Recognising and Responding to Medication Reactions: Identify potential adverse reactions, side effects, and interactions associated with advanced medications. Develop skills for managing complications, such as allergic reactions, overdose, or medication errors. Patient-Specific Considerations in Medication Administration: Administer medications with consideration of patient age, health status, allergies, and comorbidities. Tailor medication delivery methods to special populations, including pediatrics, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions. Monitoring and Adjusting Medication Administration: Monitor the effectiveness of medication administration and assess for therapeutic outcomes. Make necessary adjustments based on clinical observations, patient feedback, and laboratory results. Documentation and Legal Compliance in Advanced Medication Administration: Accurately document medication administration, including any deviations or incidents. Understand legal and ethical considerations when administering advanced medications, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Addressing Medication Administration Challenges: Manage complex situations, such as difficult IV access, patient refusal of medication, or concerns regarding medication compliance. Use problem-solving skills to handle emergencies or unexpected challenges during medication administration. Collaboration with Healthcare Teams in Medication Management: Work effectively with multidisciplinary teams (pharmacists, doctors, nurses) to optimise medication administration. Communicate clearly about potential concerns, treatment adjustments, and patient-specific needs regarding medication. By completing this course, participants will deepen their expertise in advanced medication administration, ensuring they can safely manage complex medication regimens, respond to challenges, and provide high-quality care.
Course Contents
Overview of Advanced Medication Administration
Recap of basic medication administration principles
Importance of advanced knowledge in improving patient outcomes and safety
The role of healthcare professionals in administering complex medications
Injectable Medications
Proper techniques for administering subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections
Needle selection, injection sites, and angles for different routes of administration
Procedures for preparing and administering injectable medications safely
Intravenous (IV) Medication Administration
Types of intravenous medications and their indications
Steps for preparing and administering IV medications, including drip rates, bolus doses, and IV push medications
Managing intravenous infusion pumps and monitoring infusion sites for complications
Controlled Substances and High-Risk Medications
Legal and regulatory considerations when handling controlled substances (e.g., opioids, sedatives)
Best practices for administering high-risk medications, including sedatives, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy agents Ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with institutional policies for controlled substances
Pharmacokinetics and Dosing Adjustments Understanding absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) in different patients
How to adjust medication doses based on factors like age, weight, renal and liver function
The impact of comorbidities and polypharmacy on medication metabolism
Identifying and Managing Medication
Reactions Common side effects and adverse reactions associated with advanced medications
Immediate steps to take in the event of an allergic reaction, overdose, or other medication-related emergencies
Recognising drug interactions and contraindications that could affect medication safety
Special Considerations in Advanced Medication Administration
Medication considerations in special populations: children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions Tailoring medication administration based on patient-specific needs (e.g., allergies, comorbidities)
Safe practices for handling medications in vulnerable patient populations
Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment Plans
Techniques for monitoring medication effectiveness (e.g., therapeutic drug monitoring, lab tests)
When and how to adjust medication regimens based on clinical observations and patient feedback
Documentation of treatment outcomes, adverse effects, and modifications to therapy
Patient Communication and Education in Medication
Administration Communicating with patients about their medications, administration techniques, and potential side effects
Providing education on adherence to complex medication regimens and ensuring patient understanding Building trust and addressing concerns or resistance from patients regarding advanced therapies
Documentation, Reporting, and Legal Compliance
Best practices for documenting medication administration and any deviations or incidents
Understanding the legal implications of medication errors and the importance of accurate reporting Compliance with institutional and regulatory standards in advanced medication administration
Case Studies and Scenario-Based Learning
Reviewing complex, real-world scenarios to apply knowledge of advanced medication administration
Role-playing exercises to practice handling difficult situations (e.g., missed doses, adverse reactions)
Group discussions on best practices and troubleshooting common challenges
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;