Role of the nurse in administration and safe administration

PRN medicationLegal and ethical aspects of medication administration

Role of the multidisciplinary team

Role of the nurseSkilled mental health nursing includes a sound

understanding of psychotropic medications as well as an understanding of the possible issues that may occur for the person taking these medications

Nurses are at the front psychopharmacologyNurses need to know every part of the process

- prescription- action- administration

- management

Nurses play a pivotal role in working with patients and families who may be grappling with issues around medications

Any interventions must supportive and therapeutic

The 6 rights1. Right drug 2. Right individual 3. Right dose 4. Right time 5. Right route 6. Right indication.

Role of the nurseWhat nurses need to know;- Sound working knowledge of psychotropic

medication- Sound working knowledge of neurochemistry- Awareness of the symptoms that particular

drugs target- The correct identification of these symptoms- Side effects and management- Polypharmacy

EducationPossibly to biggest part of nurses role besides

administration.Every time you administer medication you

should be educating the client on; what it is for? What it does?The expected benefits and potential risks?Common side effects and managementInclude the family

PRN medicationThe need to reduce agitation, distress or aggression rapidly often results in the prescription of PRN(as needed) medication.

Generally only needed for short periodsThe nurse generally needed to make

decisions regarding a range of;- Medications- Doses- How and when to deliver

Legal aspect of medication administrationNational standards and competenciesMental health actDocumentation requirementsAt the end of the day, if you are the last point

to stop medication errors. YOU are liable

Challenges to medication administrationPregnancy- Do we take this into consideration ?- Adverse effect vs. Relapse/treatmentChildrenOlder persons

Principles of ethical conductAutonomy‘The person should have the right to make their

own decisions provided that these decisions do not other people autonomy’

Beneficence‘care must be conducted for the good of the

person’Non-maleficence‘do no harm’ ‘duty of care’ ‘consider risks of

potential harm’Justice‘Societies expectations of what is fair and right’

Ethical considerationsWhat are the ethical considerations in psychotropic medications?

Discussion- Involuntary treatment- IMI medication- Compliance- Side effects- Physical illness- contraception

Role of multidisciplinary teamMultidisciplinary teams are considered

routine in the provision of mental health careDisciplines include;- Nurses- Psychiatrists- Psychologists- Social workers- Occupational therapists

Role of the multidisciplinary teamThe multidisciplinary team honours the

complexity of our clients.This is includes psychopharmacology as it

looks to holistically care for the client. Although not administering medication it is

important that all discipline have a working knowledge of psychopharmacology

Unique role of the multidisciplinary team in psychopharmacologyPrescribingAdministeringSide effect management- ADL’s- Nutrition- Exercise- Management techniques such as relaxationCosts of medications What else??