Medications
Medication administration and management is a key component to a participant's health and safety.
This course will cover common medication terminology, the recommended practices with management and administration, and documentation on the Medication Administration Record. The overall goal of the course is to decrease the chance of a medication error.
Proper medication management includes:
- Medication administration,
- Monitoring a participant to observe the effectiveness of the medication,
- Monitoring and reporting any possible side effects of the medication,
- Preparing, storing, and disposing of medications, and
- Documenting completely and accurately in the Medication Administration Record (MAR).
Documentation includes the physician’s orders, the MAR, the caregiver notes, and the Adverse Event Report (AER). The AER is used if and when a medication error occurs. Documentation is critical because it shows what medication was given and when it was given. Documentation shows that you followed the physician’s orders. Medication errors often occur when documentation is inaccurate or incomplete. For example, if the documentation is not done properly, it could possibly lead to a medication error. For example, failure to document could possibly lead to accidentally giving a double dose. Remember, if you did not document, the medication is considered to have not been given.
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify basic medication terminology in order to handle and make medications available to a participant.
- Distinguish between the different types, forms, and routes of medications.
- Identify common medication measurements, time schedules, and abbreviations.
- Understand that it is always your responsibility to clarify any medication orders or documentation you do not understand.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the requirements for a physician’s order and understand your responsibility to verify and clarify the information from the physician.
- Identify the recommendations for medication procurement (how medications are obtained).
- Locate and describe the information on a medication label and warning label.
- Identify how to store medications properly and safely.
- Identify how to dispose of medications properly and safely.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Describe the three medication support strategies: self-administration, medication assistance, and medication administration.
- Identify and apply the basic principles of medication administration.
- Identify and apply the “Three Checks” and “Eight Rights” of medication administration.
- Follow and apply the medication administration checklist and the medication administration process.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify your responsibilities for administering and managing a participant’s medications correctly and accurately.
- Understand and apply how to manage medications with the Circle of Support in different locations and times.
- Identify what a medication error is and how to report when a medication error occurs.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Access and complete the medication log.
- Identify the guidelines to maintain and update the MAR.
- Identify when and how to fill out an Adverse Event Report (AER).
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Fill out a Medication Administration Record based on the physician’s orders.
Course Workbook
🖨 Print the Medications Workbook (PDF), or print the full Visions Workbooks (PDF).
Use the workbook to take notes, prepare for quizzes, and keep as a reference for the future.
