Level 3 diploma in health and social care unit 80

There are many laws that affect nursing practice from the routine tasks such as Manual Handling Regulations (1993) to potentially serious and life-threatening issues such as The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (1985 and 2001) (legislation.gov.uk 2018).

One of our branch goals for DBR 2017 deliveries is to maintain procedures inventory and perform annual audit. I wanted you to review procedures of the desk that you are working on. You are required to perform this task quarterly. Below are dates that our procedures are assigned to your names.

1. The main legislation that governs the use of medication is The Medicines Acts 1968. The following is a list of legislations that have a direct impact upon the handling of medication within a social care setting.

M1- Discuss how policies and procedures help children, young people and their families whilst the child is being looked after.

M3: Discuss the care strategies that can be used to support individuals with each physiological disorder.

The Act controls supply of the medications. This act states that medicines supplied or sold at a pharmacy under the management of a qualified pharmacist. Then again, a few medications can be sold at different premises, for example, stores, the length of their repackaging and the premises can be shut to bar people in general. It's unlawful to offer medication from business stalls or from vehicles, for example, at auto boot

A list of the key legislation relating to health and safety in a social care setting-

Outcome 1 – Understand the legislative framework for the use of medication in social care settings.

No Secrets – Guidance published by the Department of Health, builds upon the governments respects for human rights and highlights the need to protect vulnerable adults through effective multi-agency work.

Legislation – The Medicines Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, The Health and Safety at Work Act, The Misuse of Drugs Act, The Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations, Health and Social Care Act

When deciding whether or not to give a medication to a patient, many things must be taken into account. These conditions are known as indications. The indications for a medication include the most common uses of the drug in treating a specific condition (10). Another thing to be considered are contraindications, which are conditions where the drug should not be given. Contraindications are situations in which the drug should not be administered because of the potential harm that could be caused to the patient (10). The dosage is also important. The dose simply indicates how much of the drug should be given to the patient (10). The actions of the drug must always also be taken into account. The actions are the therapeutic effects the drug will have (10). Side effects of the medications must also be considered. Side effects are actions that are not desired and occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effects. Some side effects are unpredictable (10).

Between 1992 -1994, there were recommendations which led to changes to the legislation with the Medicine Act 1968, which meant that nurses and health visitors, could prescribe within limits in England (Lanyon 2004). The Medicine Act is an legislative statute which regulates the control, the supply and manufacturing of medication for human use. The Medicine Act 1968 regulates “the use of therapeutic agents by optometrists. The act classifies medicines as Prescription only (POM), Pharmacy (P), and General Sales List (GSL). POM can only be sold or supplied against a prescription issues by a doctor or dentist, P medication requires supervision of a pharmacist, whilst GSL medicines can be sold from any lockable premises. Optometrists can use certain

Pain medications are drugs that are utilized to relieve the uneasiness associated with injury, disease, or surgery. There are different types of medications used to relieve pain because of the complexity of the pain process. These various kinds of medications for relieving pain work through varying psychological mechanisms. Generally, pain medications are classified into two major categories i.e. prescription and non-prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are extensive medications against pain and include more powerful drugs than the over-the-counter medications. These drugs are virtually used for any kind of pain situation though they are usually reserved for severe pain i.e. acute or chronic pain. In contrast, non-prescription drugs consists various mild anti-inflammatory medications that are mainly used for short-term pain and minor strains. Therefore, non-prescription drugs are used for common pains and aches and lower fever (Morelli & Vogin, n.d.). Some of the most common types of drugs used to relieve pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, acetaminophen, and anticonvulsant drugs.

Each individual person tolerates pain differently. Some people need to take pain medicine while others don’t. When you visit the doctor, you are asked if you are in any pain. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being the least pain felt and 10 being the highest. Pain, depending on the location, can be described as chronic, radiating, and even severe. There are different types of pain medications for different pain levels. Medications that are used to relieve pain are called analgesics. They may come in different forms such as injection (intravenous and intramuscular), tablets, and ingestible liquids. Dosage depends on the pain level and condition of a patient. Should the dosage need changing, it should be made by the patient’s doctor. The different categories of analgesic drugs are: salicylate/nonsalicylate, NSAIDs, narcotic/combination of nonnarcotic, and a combination of narcotic and nonnarcotic drugs (Turley, p. 402).

An analgesia or painkiller is used to achieve a relief from pain. It acts in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems. Though pain is difficult to define, it’s generally a protective mechanism that alerts the brain when damaged has occurred. Analgesia is classed under three different groups: simple analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. Paracetamol and aspirin are classified under simple analgesics; whilst non-steroidal anti-inflammatory are known as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac Sodium (Voltaren) and Naproxen Sodium. Dextropropoxyphe, Panadeine forte andTramadol hydrochloride and hydrochloride are classified as weaker opioids whilst morphine sulphate and pethidine hydrochloride are known for stronger