PPN 1030 - Administer of Meds & Basic IV for Pre-PN

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of math skills:
   1. Demonstrate how basic mathematics is important to the safe preparation and       administration of medications

b.   Define the principle used to round-off numbers in the decimal system

1. Compute dosages relating to the calculations of drugs and solutions and recognize the computation of fractional doses must be confirmed.
   1. Define the metric, apothecary and household systems of measurement,              identifying the fundamental units of each
   2. Discuss the rationale for placing a 0 (zero) before a decimal point
   3. Identify the most commonly used equivalents in the medical field and their abbreviations
   4. Utilize methods used in conversion from one system or unit to another i.e.        ratio/proportion
   5. Utilize ratio-proportion and formula methods to compute medication dosage:
      • Dose desired divided by available dosage multiplied by quantity equals amount to give
      • Solve for x using various formulas
      • Dimensional Analysis
      • Formulas used in pediatric medications: Fried’s, Clark’s, and Young’s rules
2. Utilize selected scientific principles relative to the administration of medications.
   1. Define pharmacology
   2. Discuss the nurse’s responsibilities for administration of drug therapy
   3. Identify the laws and ethical considerations that relate to medical and nursing         practice and drug therapy
   4. Discuss factors affecting therapeutic and non-therapeutic drug actions
   5. Define abbreviations commonly used in administration of medications
   6. Identify sources of drugs; i.e., animals, plants, etc.
   7. Distinguish between generic and trade names of drugs
   8. Identify forms of medications; i.e., tablets, elixirs, solutions, etc.
   9. Define classifications of medications; i.e., analgesics, antimicrobials, cardiotonics, etc.
   10. Identify information sources (references) for drugs
3. Identify and demonstrate the principles related to the administration of medications.
   1. Discuss the importance of a client assessment prior to administration of medications
   2. List requirements of a complete drug order or prescription
   3. Identify parts of the drug label
   4. Discuss forms of drug packaging: vial, ampule, unit dose, etc.       
   5. Discuss the “Rights” of proper drug administration
   6. Discuss knowledge and skills needed to implement the “rights” of drug administration
   7. Identify, describe, and demonstrate the routes/sites/methods for administrating medications; i.e., enteral, topical, parenteral (including heparin and insulins) etc.
   8. Identify special considerations to be observed when administering medications
   9. Discuss the steps of the nursing process as it relates to the administration of medications
   10. Define and discuss medication errors and contributing factors
   11. Identify elements in documentation for safe administration of medications
   12. Discuss principles of proper and safe storage of medications
   13. List the parts of the syringe and their functions
   14. List equipment required for oral, parenteral, and intravenous drug administration
   15. Differentiate drug dosage forms for various routes and purposes of administration
   16. Discuss principles for selection of syringe/needle size used in intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SQ), intradermal (ID) and intravenous (IV) routes of administration in adult and pediatric clients
   17. Demonstrate principles for preparing medications from powder, vial, ampule, topicals, and liquids
   18. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of oral, parenteral, and topical routes of drug administration
   19. Discuss guidelines for rational choices of drugs, dosages, routes, and times of administration
   20. Discuss safety precautions for maintaining an intravenous line
   21. Discuss safety precautions in administration of medications including needle stick safety
4. Discuss the administration of medications to the geriatric client.
   1. Describe how pharmacokinetic change during aging and why medications may affect the elderly differently
   2. Identify factors increasing the risk of medication-related problems
   3. Discuss how responses to medications are less predictable in an older person
   4. Identify common drugs used in geriatrics and their common side effects
5. Discuss important nursing concepts in relation to the process of venipuncture.

• Discuss important aspects of patient preparation for insertion of an intravenous (IV) cannula
• Compare and contrast the characteristics between veins and arteries
• Identify advantages and disadvantages of selecting each hand or arm vein for intravenous (IV) therapy
• Contrast characteristics and uses of the various venipuncture devices
• Describe the clinical sequences for a successful intravenous (IV) cannulation

1. Display knowledge of nursing practice in relation to infusion therapy.

• Be knowledgeable of the state nurse practice act as it relates to intravenous (IV) therapy
• Describe the sequential steps for administration of intravenous (IV) infusion solutions
• Discuss the safety recommendations that reduce exposure to needlestick injuries and exposure to patient body fluids during intravenous (IV) therapy
• List the factors that interfere with the delivery of accurate IV flow rates by gravity infusion and the interventions that promote accurate infusion delivery
• Verbalize the nursing strategies that prevent intravenous (IV) therapy-related problems
• Identify requirements for documentation of intravenous (IV) infusions

1. Discuss client care and nursing practice of practical nurses in relation to central venous catheters.
   1. Describe the types and features of central venous catheters (also called central lines or CVLs)
   2. Identify the major complications associated with central venous access devices: air embolus, fibrin sheath, occlusion sepsis, and superior vena cava syndrome
   3. Be knowledgeable of the state nurse practice act as it relates to central venous catheters
2. Discuss client care and nursing practice of practical nurses in relation to peripherally inserted central catheters.

• Describe the types and features of the peripherally inserted central catheters (also called
• Identify the major complications associated with PICCs
• Be knowledgeable of the state nurse practice act as it relates to peripherally inserted central catheters

1. Discuss why and when intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is needed and the components of how the correct fluid type is selected.

• Name the two major fluid compartments in the body
• Discuss the processes by which fluid balance is maintained
• Identify important measures of electrolyte balance
• Summarize the differences between isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions
• Recognize clinical features for fluid volume deficit and fluid volume excess
• Understand the difference between fluid replacement and fluid maintenance in relation to IV fluid therapy

1. Demonstrate knowledge of intravenous (IV) medication administration and the practical nurse’s scope of practice.

• Verbalize the sequential steps for intravenous (IV) drug administration
• Identify critical elements of therapeutic drug monitoring when the drug is administrated intravenously
• List immediate actions to be taken in the event of an adverse drug reaction
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various routes of intravenous (IV) drug administration
• Describe features that differ among intravenous (IV) infusion pumps

1. Demonstrate knowledge of blood and blood component administration and the practical nurse’s scope of practice.

• Recognize potential signs and symptoms for acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
• Describe the nursing management process for blood and blood product transfusion reaction

1. Demonstrate knowledge of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) administration and the practical nurse’s scope of practice.

• Describe the indications and contraindications of total parenteral nutrition
• Discuss the components of a nutritional assessment
• Recognize the common diagnostic laboratory values used to monitor TPN
• Identify the potential complications of TPN