Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:45 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:45 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Administer and monitor intravenous medication in the nursing environment
Administer and monitor intravenous medication in the nursing environment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN519B
HLTEN519B
State Code
D8222
D8222
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2011
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
21/07/2011
Nominal Hours
50
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required of Enrolled/Division 2 nurses to administer and monitor intravenous medications and their effectiveness for clients within the nursing context.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Minimise risk to the safe administration of intravenous medication
- 1.1 Check for pharmacology and substance incompatibilities
- 1.2 Review issues related to drug administration with registered nurse
- 1.3 Identify common contraindications and adverse reactions of prescribed intravenous medications
- 1.4 Confirm client identity and check for any known allergies
- 1.5 Maintain knowledge of drug schedules and classifications as determined by legislation
- 1.6 Work with a knowledge of various forms of intravenous medication administration
- 1.7 Assess the intravenous cannula site for any problems
2. Prepare intravenous medications for administration to client
- 2.1 Work with a knowledge of all intravenous administration routes and associated terminology
- 2.2 Identify the purpose and function of prescribed intravenous medications for administration
- 2.3 Identify common contraindications and adverse reactions of prescribed intravenous medications
- 2.4 Accurately calculate dosages for administration of intravenous drugs
- 2.5 Work with a knowledge of how intravenous medications are prepared in line with legislative requirements and environmental guidelines
- 2.6 Use correct intravenous medication administration techniques and precautions specific to each client as per medication orders
3. Administer intravenous medications within legal parameters
- 3.1 Work with a knowledge of legal parameters for the administration of intravenous medications
- 3.2 Administer intravenous medications within role responsibility accordance with the legislative requirements and organisation policy
- 3.3 Store intravenous medications in a safe manner according to legislative requirements and health care organisation policy
- 3.4 Work with a knowledge of organisation processes for quality management and risk assessment of administration of intravenous medication
4. Monitor client response to administered intravenous medication
- 4.1 Record administration of intravenous mediations in accordance with organisation policy
- 4.2 Contribute to information provided to clients and carers on intravenous medication administration (including possible side effects)
- 4.3 Recognise acute and delayed adverse reactions to intravenous medications and respond within role responsibility
- 4.4 Implement emergency actions for identified acute and delayed adverse reactions within role responsibility
- 4.5 Record and report response to emergency strategies
- 4.6 Implement organisation procedures in the event of an intravenous medication incident
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 may include:
Residential aged care facility
Community settings
Hospitals
Clinics
Short and long stay centres
Clients home
Potential risks may include but is not limited to:
Client Identification
Allergic reactions
Immunisation status
Intravenous medication incompatibilities
Contra-indications for intravenous drug administration
Intravenous therapy
Intravenous medication administration methodsinclude:
Bolus
Via burette
Mini infusion pump
IV piggyback/tandem
Syringe pump
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 Practice Standards
Documentation legal requirements
Commonly used medications may include:
Analgesia
Antibiotics
Corticosteroids
Administration of oral medications and associated terminology may include:
Legible medication order
Preparation of medication by person administering
5 'Rights'
Special precautions including assessment of intravenous cannula site
Checking intravenousmedications and associated terminology include:
Legal requirements as per jurisdictional regulations
Understanding of Enrolled/Division 2 nurse role
Legible medication order
Absorption rates of intravenous medications
Preparation of medication by person administering
Checked by Registered Nurse
5 'Rights'
Special precautions
Problems with intravenous cannula site may include:
Extravasation
Signs of inflammation
Loss of patency
Terminology associated with intravenous medications may include:
Pharmacology
Medication
Administer
Therapeutic effect
Side effect/adverse reaction/allergic reaction
Contraindication
Anaphylaxis
Allergy
Calculation of medication dosages must include:
Calculation formulae
Calculation of dosages of injectable drugs (liquid, solid, unit dosages)
Flow rate drops per minute
Flow rate millilitres per hour
Paediatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area, age related dose reduction)
Geriatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area and age)
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 may include:
Residential aged care facility
Community settings
Hospitals
Clinics
Short and long stay centres
Clients home
Potential risks may include but is not limited to:
Client Identification
Allergic reactions
Immunisation status
Intravenous medication incompatibilities
Contra-indications for intravenous drug administration
Intravenous therapy
Intravenous medication administration methodsinclude:
Bolus
Via burette
Mini infusion pump
IV piggyback/tandem
Syringe pump
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 Practice Standards
Documentation legal requirements
Commonly used medications may include:
Analgesia
Antibiotics
Corticosteroids
Administration of oral medications and associated terminology may include:
Legible medication order
Preparation of medication by person administering
5 'Rights'
Special precautions including assessment of intravenous cannula site
Checking intravenousmedications and associated terminology include:
Legal requirements as per jurisdictional regulations
Understanding of Enrolled/Division 2 nurse role
Legible medication order
Absorption rates of intravenous medications
Preparation of medication by person administering
Checked by Registered Nurse
5 'Rights'
Special precautions
Problems with intravenous cannula site may include:
Extravasation
Signs of inflammation
Loss of patency
Terminology associated with intravenous medications may include:
Pharmacology
Medication
Administer
Therapeutic effect
Side effect/adverse reaction/allergic reaction
Contraindication
Anaphylaxis
Allergy
Calculation of medication dosages must include:
Calculation formulae
Calculation of dosages of injectable drugs (liquid, solid, unit dosages)
Flow rate drops per minute
Flow rate millilitres per hour
Paediatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area, age related dose reduction)
Geriatric dosage calculations (body weight, surface area and age)
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
Assessment must be undertaken in a simulated clinical laboratory prior to clinical placement
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
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
Assessment of competency may occur on more than one occasion. Assessment may include but not be limited to:
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
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
Assessment must be undertaken in a simulated clinical laboratory prior to clinical placement
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
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
Assessment of competency may occur on more than one occasion. Assessment may include but not be limited to:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9228 | HLTEN519A | Administer and monitor intravenous medication in the nursing environment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD140 | HLTEN519C | Administer and monitor intravenous medication in the nursing environment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D096 | HLT51607 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |