(pharmacodynamics)
■ Side-effects of drugs
■ Drug toxicity
■ Interactions
■ Poisoning.
This knowledge should include how
to prepare and store medicines in line
with local policy and knowledge of
appropriate monitoring before medicines
are administered (blood tests to check
for drug levels and kidney function,
for example).
A large number of health-care
assistants (HCAs) are employed in
today’s health-care system, and some
can administer medicines; HCAs should
have the same level of knowledge
and understanding as other health
professionals, such as how the medicine
works, interactions with other medicines
and potential side-effects. Qualified
nurses and prescribers (whether they are
nurses, doctors, pharmacists or allied
health professionals) have a duty to
ensure the staff delegated to administer
medicines have sufficient knowledge to
undertake the task safely.