Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:00 AM AWST

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Administer a range of medications

Administer a range of medications

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN407B
State Code
D8202
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/08/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
03/08/2011
Nominal Hours
85
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required of Enrolled/Division 2 Nurses to administer a limited range of medications
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Minimise potential risk to safe administration of medications
  • 1.1 Check expiry dates of medication prior to administration
  • 1.2 Check client medication chart in relation to timing and route of medication to be administered
  • 1.3 Raise issues related to drug and poison administration with the registered nurse or another appropriate person if the registered nurse is not available
  • 1.4 Check for and identify common contraindications and adverse reactions of prescribed medications and refer to the registered nurse
  • 1.5 Confirm client identity and check for any known allergies
  • 1.6 Ensure infection control methods are applied correctly
2. Prepare for administration of non-injectable medications within scope of Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
  • 2.1 Explain the process of medication administration to the client and ensure their readiness
  • 2.2 Position the client appropriately prior to administration of medication
  • 2.3 Correctly identify administration route for each medication to be administered, using appropriate terminology
  • 2.4 Consider the effect of commonly used medications on the body prior to medication administration
  • 2.5 Prepare medications in accordance with legislative requirements and organisation guidelines
  • 2.6 Apply medication administration techniques and precautions specific to each client situation and as per medication orders
  • 2.7 Ensure medication is stored and disposed of in accordance with medical instructions and organisation policy and procedures
3. Administer non-injectable medications within legal parameters
  • 3.1 Administer non-injectable medications within scope of own role in line with the jurisdictional legislative requirements and organisation policy
  • 3.2 Ensure infection control principles are applied in the administration of non-injectable medication
  • 3.3 Store medications in a safe manner according to legislative requirements and organisation policy
4. Respond appropriately to signs of pain
  • 4.1 Identify cause of pain if possible
  • 4.2 Use the VAS score (or appropriate pain scale) to identify level of pain
  • 4.3 Report any irregular or abnormal findings to Registered Nurse
  • 4.4 Allay any fears or anxiety experienced by the client
5. Monitor and report client response to administered medication
  • 5.1. Record administration of medications in accordance with relevant policy and procedures
  • 5.2. Evaluate client understanding of information provided
  • 5.3. Recognise acute and delayed adverse reactions to medications and act upon within role responsibility
  • 5.4. Implement emergency actions to address acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility
  • 5.5. Record and report response to emergency strategies
  • 5.6. Monitor client experiencing pain and undertake appropriate medication and non-medication therapies in consultation/collaboration with Registered Nurse
  • 5.7. Record and report effectiveness of pain relieving medication
RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Health environments include:
Residential aged care facility
Community settings
Hospitals
Clients home
Clinics


Potential risks include but are not limited to:
Client identification
Allergic reactions
Immunization status
Medication incompatibilities
Contra-indications for drug administration


Medication administration routes include:
Oral
Intranasal (including nebulised medications)
Topical (including transdermal)
Ocular
Aural
Rectal
Vaginal administration
Enteral administration


Terminology associated with medications include:
Medication
Administer
Side effect/adverse reaction/allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis
Allergy
Suspension/mixture/syrup/linctus/lozenge
Ointment/cream/lotion
Tincture/emulsion
Tablet/pill
Transdermal patch
Nebuliser/aerosol/volumetric spacer


Legal and regulatory framework include:
State/territory Nurses Act.
State/territory Drugs and Poisons Act
Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations
State/territory Nurse Regulatory Authority competency standards, codes and guidelines
Legal requirements of documentation


Client history may include:
Pre-existing conditions
Admission diagnosis
Allergies
Current history
Current medication
Behavioural characteristics
Nutritional status
Hydration status
Psychological needs
Psychosocial needs
Compliance history
Concurrent medications


Reports can be verbal or written, and may include:
Individual client records
Pain management plans
Fluid status management
Nutritional status management
Observational documentation
Medication charts
Admission and discharge planning
Diagnostic reports/results
Clinical progress notes
Hand-over at end of shift
Medication incident reports


Policies and procedures relating to infection control can include:
Effective hand washing and hand drying techniques
Handling of medication
Appropriate use and disposal of personal protective equipment


Relevant client information may include:
Medication side effects
Length of treatment
Drug interactions
Consequences of non-compliance
Anatomical positioning for safe non-injectable drug administration


Factors influencing medication actions may include:
Rate of absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Drug interactions
Excretion
Dosage form
Route of administration
Improper storage
Timing of administration
Client age, height, weight
Previous history


Major medication groups include:
Antacids
Antianginals
Antibiotics
Anticholinergics
Antidiarrhoeals
Antiemetics
Antifungals
Antihistamines
Antihypertentives
Anti-inflammatory
Antiparkinsonion
Antipruritic
Antiseptics
Antiulcer
Antivirals
Anxiolytics
Bronchodilators
Beta blockers
Contraceptives
Corticosteroids
Diuretics
Electrolyte solutions
Hypnotics/sedatives
Laxatives/aperients
Narcotic analgesia
Neuroleptics
Hypoglycaemics


Major medication groups include:
Analgesia
Vitamins


Methods of storage, handling and usage of medications may include:
Dry/moist
Refrigeration
Away from light/heat
Separate storage of external use medications and internal use medications
Locked cupboard/trolley
Responsibility for security of drug cupboard/trolley keys
Narcotics - locked, attached to wall
Register for drugs of addiction
Routine checking of narcotic drugs in storage
Pharmacy responsibilities
Expiry dates


Administration of oral
medications and associated
terminology may include:
Legible medication order
Preparation of medication by person administering
6 "Rights" of administration
Special precautions
Medication checking process
4 Documentation of drug administration
EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Assessment must include a written calculation test with 100% mastery


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment must be undertaken in a simulated clinical laboratory prior to clinical placement
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place
Evidence gathered from clinical work environment
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play/simulation


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C9208 HLTEN407A Administer a range of medications Unit of competency
No information