Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:54 AM AWST

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Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy

Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTENN040
State Code
ODI95
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
02/07/2021
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
29/10/2021
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
29/10/2021
Nominal Hours
250
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to administer and monitor medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy including calculating dosage requirements, reading and applying written instructions from an authorised prescriber, assessing the person for medicine effectiveness and side effects, and responding to an allergic pharmacological reaction.This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Minimise potential risk to ensure safe administration of medicine.
  • 1.1. Refer to drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law.
  • 1.2. Identify indications for prescribed medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy.
  • 1.3. Identify pharmacology and substance incompatibilities in relation to specific situations involving medicine administration, blood and blood products.
  • 1.4. Evaluate the effect of commonly used medicine and IV fluids on the body before medicine administration and IV infusion.
  • 1.5. Refer to medical history records to identify documented allergies and contraindications.
2. Prepare for medicine administration and infusion of IV fluids.
  • 2.1. Explain the process of medicine administration and IV fluid infusion to the person, confirm their understanding and obtain consent.
  • 2.2. Identify correct administration route and site for medicine and IV fluid to be administered and position the person.
  • 2.3. Calculate accurate medicine dosage and IV fluid infusion rate for administration of drugs.
  • 2.4. Prepare medicine in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.5. Identify medicine administration techniques and precautions specific to the person’s situation and as per medicine orders.
  • 2.6. Prepare blood and blood products for blood transfusions according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.7 Assess intravenous access site and line for abnormalities and refer to registered nurse and treating team as required in accordance with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
3. Administer and store medicine.
  • 3.1. Administer medicine and IV fluid to the person applying the Rights of Medication Administration and in accordance with jurisdictional and legislative requirements, organisational policies and procedures and professional practice standards.
  • 3.2. Report a person’s refusal of medicine, IV therapy and incomplete medicine and IV therapy administration to the supervising registered nurse.
  • 3.3. Ensure medicine and blood and blood products are stored, handled and disposed of according to legislation, organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions.
4. Monitor and evaluate a person’s response to administered medicine, IV fluids and blood and blood products.
  • 4.1. Identify, monitor, document and report acute and delayed adverse reactions of the person to administered medicine, IV fluids, blood and blood products.
  • 4.2. Implement emergency actions in response to identified adverse event.
  • 4.3. Monitor and evaluate IV cannula according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 4.4. Provide information to the person, families or carer relating to administration of medicines including possible side effects.
5. Assess effectiveness of pain-relieving medicine.
  • 5.1. Undertake comprehensive pain assessment.
  • 5.2. Clarify location and nature of pain and discomfort, taking into account factors that influence person’s perception of pain.
  • 5.3. Identify prescribed medicines and complementary strategies to alleviate pain and discomfort.
  • 5.4. Assess evaluate and document medicine effectiveness and undertake comprehensive pain assessment.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AWA10 HLTENN007 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy Unit of competency