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Unit 47: Administer Medication to Individuals, and Monitor the Effects

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Unit 47: Administer Medication to Individuals, and Monitor the Effects

1.1
Legislation and Policies Relevant to the Administration of Medication

The Medicines Act 1968
This act is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom and it governs the manufacture and supply of medicine.

This act outlines three categories of medicines:
• Prescription of medicines (POM). These are only available from a pharmacist if they are prescribed by an appropriate doctor.
Pharmacy medicines (P). These are available from a pharmacist without a prescription.
• General Sales List (GSL). These are medicines which can be bought from any shop without a prescription.

The Medicines Act 1968 controls the supply of drugs it covers. It does not …show more content…

Osmotic laxatives can cause abdominal pain, bloating and wind. Stool softener laxatives can cause abdominal cramps, nausea and a skin rash.

Anticoagulants
These are used to aid blood thinning

Side Effects:
The most common side effects are itching, rashes, easy bruising, increased bleeding from injuries and purplish spots on the skin. The purplish spots are caused by small amounts of bleeding under the skin and bleeding from wounds can be difficult to stop. 2.2
Medications which Demand the Measurement of Physiological Measurements

Anti-hypertensives to treat high blood pressure
Blood pressure is a physiological measurement and would need specific measurement for the prescribing of anti-hypertensives

Insulin for diabetics
Blood glucose needs to be tested to ensure the blood glucose is not too high or too low to determine how much insulin is needed.

Warfarin (a blood thinning drug)
Warfarin requires the blood be checked regularly to monitor how effective the drug is, i.e. is the blood becoming too 'thin', which could cause an internal bleed or if the Warfarin dose is not effective enough leaving the patient at risk of blood clots.

2.3
Common Adverse Reactions to Medication

Adverse reactions to drugs are common and almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction.

Mild adverse reactions include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, skin rashes, constipation and diarrhoea. Sometimes,

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