Roles and Responsibilities of Internal Resources

Topic 1.1: Roles of Internal Resources in Medication Assistance

• Nurses: Nurses play a pivotal role in the medication assistance process. They are responsible for
  assessing patient needs, planning medication schedules, administering medications, and
  monitoring patient responses. Additionally, nurses provide patient education on medication
  usage and potential side effects. For example, a nurse might assess a patient’s response to a
  newly prescribed medication and adjust the dosage accordingly.
• Terminology:
• Medication Administration: The process of providing a single dose of
  medication to a patient.
• Patient Education: Informing and instructing patients about their medications
  and health conditions.
• Pharmacists: Pharmacists are crucial in ensuring the safe and effective use of medication. Their
  responsibilities include dispensing medications, providing information on drug interactions, and
  reviewing medication regimens for safety. A pharmacist might counsel a patient on managing a
  new medication regimen, explaining the best ways to adhere to it.
• Terminology:
• Medication Dispensing: The process of preparing and giving out medications to
  patients.
• Drug Interaction Review: Assessing the compatibility of a patient’s medications
  to prevent adverse interactions.
• Care Assistants: Care assistants support the medication management process, although they are
  not directly involved in medication administration. They assist in preparing medications under
  supervision, provide reminders to patients, and observe changes in patient conditions. An
  example might be a care assistant helping a patient with dementia organize their daily
  medications.
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• Terminology:
• Medication Preparation Assistance: Helping with the organization and planning
  of medication intake.
• Patient Observation: Monitoring patients for changes in their condition that
  could indicate a reaction to medications.
  Learning Outcome 1.2: Comprehend the involvement and support of external entities in medication
  management