medications

Vn117 animal nursing

Prevention of injury by drugs Prevention of injury by admin equipment Correct storage of drugs Correct admin methods for formulation Correct disposal of drugs

Safe handling of drugs

Right drug, Right patient, Right dose Right route Right time

Golden rules of drug administration

Can you read the prescription, interpret it and

recognise the drug? Wrong drug can kill or be ineffective

Right drug

Right patient

Right dose

IV admin: a rapid bolus creates high blood levels IM admin: muscles are well supplied with blood

so this route provides quite quick uptake SC admin: minimal blood supply to the site so

slow uptake of the drug. Creates a depot of drug.

Doses that reach correct blood levels after SC administration may be toxic if administered by routes that have more rapid uptake

Right route

IV versus IM

Right timeRedosing schedules must be accurate to avoid toxic accumulation of drug

or blood concentrations falling too far for intervals

In pairs read the definitions then test your

buddy on 3 of them by either describing the drug group and asking them to

name it or naming it and asking them to describe it

Major drug groups: activity

Common abbreviations

match1. Ad lib2. BID 3. RX4. TX5. PWD

A. TreatmentB. PowderC. Allow free access to

eat or drink as desired

D. Twice a dayE. prescription

Storage Follow manufacturers guidelines for heat light humidity. Limit public access,

shelving should minimise breakage, restock so old stores are used first, logically group drugs, ensure refrigeration space available for vaccines etc. not for food!

Legal issues of dispensing, and labeling registered veterinary medicationsPlease note the notes on the moodle site 102-4are relevant

The practices usually have automated labeling

dispensers which only need the fields filled in and a typed label is produced quickly

Labels for RVMs

Through skin, cuts and skin absorption Mucous membranes Accidental ingestion(powders) Inhalation (aerosols, anesthetics and

therapeutic sprays) Accidental injection (cap needles,beware of

thick liquids and plain luer needles)

Accidental exposure of dispensing staff to

drugs they are handling

Ensure you have clear instructions (RX) Be able to interpret that RX(terminology and

abbreviations) Be able to find and prepare the medication

from the pharmacy Write a clear legal label Ensure the owner that is receiving the

medication is able to administer the drug safely (instruct, demonstrate, answer questions, follow up with written explanation

5 Rules of dispensing

Routes of administration

Systemic Drugs administered

by a variety of routes are absorbed into the blood stream and distributed to target tissues(as well as others)

Parenteral and enteral routes, inhalation and cutaneous

Topical Drugs administered

to an accessible area remain in that area and act locally

Common sites Eyes ears skin

rectum

Routes of administration

Parenteral: generally means by injection. Ones commonly used in vet medicine are: IV, IM, SC, IP, IO Epidural

others not injected are: inhalation Cutaneous eg pour on

drench Enteral route: absorbed by

the GIT to act systemically: eg orally

Topical: Acts at the site applied Skin Eyes Ears Enemas

1. Pethidine is an RVM, but morphine is a human

medication not registered for use in veterinary medicine, both are Class B controlled drugs. Which acts cover their use if they are used by veterinary practioners?

2. What is the key change that affects veterinary nurses about anaesthetic administration when the ACVM act came into full effect?

3. What are the old OTC drugs now called and what is the difference between these and the RVMs?

4. What is the legal definition of a veterinary consultation?5. What is the key purpose of VOI and what limitations are

placed on the situations where they might be used

Pharmacy quiz

Drug terminology match

Chemical name Active ingredient Generic name Trade name Proprietary name

Neurofen plus Ibuprofen Codeine phosphate Codeine

Licensed drugs have been tested extensively

in the species for the purpose they are licensed and the manufacturers take significant responsibility for the safety and efficacy of their use

Discretionary “off license” use of drugs is where there is insufficient testing for the manufacturers guarentee and the prescribing veterinarian must ensure the client understands the extra risk of the use of these drugs

Licensed and off license