Assessment 1: Certificate and Quizzes

Overall Weighting: 20%

Due Date: Staggered, please see due dates for each part of this assessment below.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine the principles of quality use of medicines (QUM), as related to nursing practice

2. Consider the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, biochemical and microbial influences medications can have upon individuals across the lifespan

Instructions: Assessment 1 consists of 3 separate tasks (1 Continuing Professional Development activity [certificate] and 2 quizzes) that are spread out over the 12 week unit. Each quiz will be opened and closed on a specific date. Please note the due dates for each quiz as they differ. See Essential Information below for further information.

Task 1 - NPS Medicinewise Course (Continuing Professional Development activity [certificate]):

Due Date: Friday 27^th July 2018 (Wk 3)

Weighting: 12.5% (of overall weighting for this assessment)

NPS Medicinewise Course: ‘Quality Use of Medicines for Health Professional Students’ (NB: Do not complete the case studies)

Allow 2 - 2.5 hours to complete this course.

Step 1: Accessing the ‘NPS Medicinewise Learning’ website: http://learn.nps.org.au/ and completing the course 'Quality Use of Medicines for Health Professional Students'. The link to this site is also available under the ‘Assessment for this unit’ tab on the Moodle site.

When you first access the ‘NPS Medicinewise Learning’ website you will need to create a new account. Scroll down the list of 2018 courses to find: ‘Quality Use of Medicines for Health Professional Students’ and click on ‘start now’. This course is free of charge

Step 2: Once course is completed you will receive a certificate which needs to be saved and then uploaded to the Moodle site – see ‘Assessment’ block left hand side of the Moodle page or the link under the ‘Assessment for this unit’ tab.

NB: Ensure that you double check the name of the course and the year. Only certificates for Quality Use of Medicines for Health Professional Students 2018 will be accepted.

Task 2 - Multiple Choice Quiz 1 (15 Questions):

Due Date: Opened Friday 10^th August 2018 (wk 5). Closed Friday 24^th August 2018 (wk 6).

Weighting: 37.5% (of overall weighting for this assessment)

Content Examined: unit modules 1 to 5

Task 3 - Multiple Choice Quiz 2 (20 Questions):

Due Date: Opened Friday 28^th September 2018 (wk 11). Closed Friday 5^th October 2018 (wk 12).

Weighting: 50% (of overall weighting for this assessment)

Content Examined: unit modules 6 to 12

Essential Information

· Access to all quizzes are available via the links under the ‘Assessment for this unit’ tab on the Moodle site and are titled Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 – no uploads required.

· Each online quiz is opened for 7(seven) days (1 week) and a time limit of 90 mins to complete. There will be 2(two) attempts available for each quiz (highest attempt accepted).

· NB: This assessment has a minimum mark or grade - This assessment contributes to 20% of your marks overall for this unit (all three assessments combined will give the final grade). However, you need to score at least 25% of the overall marks (across the quizzes and submission of CPD certificate) for this assessment to pass the unit and satisfy the unit learning outcomes regardless of obtaining pass marks in the other assessments.

The Certificate must be submitted by uploading to the assessment site on the Moodle page

Quiz 1 and 2 are Online quizzes and are marked online.

Assessment 2 -Short Answer Topics

Overall Weighting: 30%

Due Date: Tuesday 21st August 2018 6pm (Week 6)

Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine the principles of quality use of medicines (QUM), as related to nursing practice

Word Length: 1500words (+/- 10%) (suggestion: approx. 400-500 words per topic). NB: In-text references are included in the word count.

Instructions: Assessment 2 consists of completing 3 (three) topics with questions linked to a Coronial Clinical case summary.

Step1: Read the Coronial clinical case summary. The link to this document is available under the ‘Assessment for this Unit’ tab: Under Assessment 2.

Step 2: Using the Coronial clinical case summary, complete the 3 topics listed below addressing the questions. You are expected to attempt all three topics.

Academic essay format is required therefore this written work requires 1 (one) introduction and 1 (one) conclusion for all three topics. 12 point font and double-line spaced.

The following format is to be used to present your essay (including topic headings):

- First page: Cover page

- Next page: Table of Contents

- Next page: Essay

· Introduction

· Topic 1: Medication Errors

· Topic 2: Ethical Principles

· Topic 3: Legislation

· Conclusion

- Last page: References

APA referencing (6^th edition) is required (click this link to access the APA abridged guide or via the course Moodle site under the 'Assessment' tab). Please note that referencing is worth 15% of your overall mark for this assessment.

The study guide, course profile, and power-points supplied on the Moodle site are NOT to be used as reference sources but are good resources to guide your answers. NB: journal articles less than 10 years old, textbooks and other sources less than 5 years old should only be used.

NB: This assessment has a minimum mark or grade – This assessment contributes to 30% of your marks overall for this unit (all three assessments combined will give the final grade). However you need to score at least 25% of overall marks for this assessment to pass the unit and satisfy the leaning outcomes regardless of obtaining pass marks in the other assessments for this unit.

Topics

Topic 1: Medication Errors

There was a significant medication error that occurred that led to a poor outcome for this patient in this Coronial clinical case.

- Briefly summarise the medication error that occurred here.

- Explain how nurse A, Nurse B and Nurse C each contributed to the error which led to the poor outcome for Mr L.

· Include in your discussion at least one (1) failing of professional nursing practice or procedure that may have contributed to this medication error

- Review the NSQHS Medication Safety Standard 4 item 4.6. Identify how following this action could prevent or reduce the risk of such a medication error occurring.

Topic 2: Ethical Principles

Ethical principles relate to medications just as they do to any other nursing practice. Therefore ethical principles apply to nurses’ practice in the administering of medication to Mr L.

After reading the Coronial clinical case summary:

- Describe each of the following ethical principles:

o beneficence

o non-maleficence

- Explain how these principles are in opposition to each other in this clinical case summary:

o Were either of these ethical principles upheld by these nurses? Yes or no. Explain your response.

NB: It is expected that you write in third person (no ‘I’ or ‘we’ statements).

Topic 3. Legislation

Many laws govern medication and medication administration. The Registered Nurse has a responsibility to be aware of those that are relevant to their practice. With the clinical case summary in mind:

- Discuss the significance of drug legislation to nursing and why nurses need have a responsibility to be aware of these laws. Include in your discussion the federal legislation that controls medications and how

- State the legislative schedules of fentanyl and irbesartan, medications discussed in the clinical case summary. Describe the differences in the legal requirements in storage and documentation required of these scheduled medications to Mr L.

Assessment 2 Marking Criteria

Student name:                                                                                         Student Number:

*up-to-date= journal articles less than 10 years, textbooks and other sources less than 5 years

This Assessment is worth 30% of the weighting for this unit.

Late Penalty (if applicable):      %         Overall Marks:     /100         (Overall Percentage: /30%)

Markers Comments:

Marker:

Assignment 3: Written Discussion

Overall Weighting: 50%

Due Date: Thursday 27th September 2018 (Wk 11), 6pm

Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine the principles of quality use of medicines (QUM), as related to nursing practice

2. Consider the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, biochemical and microbial influences medications can have upon individuals across the lifespan

3. Analyse the professional and ethical implications of medication administration and the associated legislative requirements to nursing practise

4. Explore the use and implications of non-traditional and complementary pharmacological therapies.

Word Count: 1800 words (+/- 10%) including in-text referencing. All three sections are not linked and therefore have separate word counts:

Part 1: 600 words (+/- 10%)

Part 2: 600 words (+/- 10%)

Part 3: 600 words (+/- 10%)

Instructions: Assessment 3 contains three (3) parts containing questions linked to the case study below. You are expected to attempt all three topics.

Step 1: Read Case Study below.

Step 2: Using this case study answer the questions contained in each section.

Academic essay format is required however a formal introduction and conclusion is NOT required for each part. Your responses are to be presented from a professional and academic perspective e.g. discussing with other health professionals, and not from the patient’s perspective in the case study. 12 point font and double-line spacing is required.

The following format is to be used to present your essay (including topic headings):

    - First page: Cover page

    - Next page: Table of Contents

    - Next page: Short answer responses with references

        · Topic 1

            o References

        · Topic 2

            o References

        · Topic 3

            o References

Essential Information:

APA referencing (6^th edition) is required (click this link to access the APA abridged guide or via the course Moodle site under the 'Assessment' tab). Please note that referencing is worth 15% of your overall mark for this assessment. For help with writing an academic essay please refer to the articles under the Assessment tab of the Moodle page or see the ALC (Academic Learning Centre) for assistance.

The study guide, course profile, and power-points supplied in the course Moodle site are NOT to be used as reference sources but are good resources to guide your answers. Journal articles less than 10 years old, textbooks and other sources less than 5 years old should only be used.

NB: This assessment has a minimum mark or grade – This assessment contributes to 50% of your marks overall for this unit (all three assessments combined will give the final grade). However you need to score at least 25% of overall marks for this assessment to pass the unit and satisfy the leaning outcomes regardless of obtaining pass marks in the other assessments for this unit.

Case Study

The following case study is fictional in both name and any personal information. Any relevance to any person or place is merely co-incidental.

Part 1: Visit to General Practitioner

Mr. D is a 60-year-old Aboriginal male who is a known elder in his community. He is visiting his doctor for medication refills. His past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia. He is married with three children and works as a finance officer at a large banking firm. He has a one-pack-a-day cigarette smoking history and has been smoking for 40 years. Mr. D does not check his blood pressure or his blood sugars at home. He denies any changes in his health status today and reports that he is feeling well. His last laboratory work was almost two years ago. His vital signs today are:

· Blood pressure (BP) 160/94 mm Hg

· Heart rate (HR) 90 beats/min

• Respiratory rate (RR) 20 breaths/min
• Weight 134kg
• Height 172cm
• Body mass index (BMI) 45
• Last known blood sugar level (BSL) 11.8mmol/L

Mr. D's current medications include: amlodipine 10mg every day; atorvastatin 40mg every night; metformin 1000mg twice a day; and glipizide 5mg twice a day.

Task: Write 600 words addressing the following:

a) You discuss with the patient that his blood pressure is not adequately controlled and that his physician is adding losartan 100mg every day to his medication regimen. Discuss the pharmacological class of losartan and its mechanism of action (how it controls blood pressure).

b) Mr. D asks you if losartan acts in the same way as amlodipine. Discuss the pharmacological class of amlodipine and its mechanism of action (how it controls blood pressure).

c) Before Mr. D leaves the office, you explain that he will need to continue amlodipine and losartan at home. You assess his knowledge of this medication by asking him to recall common side effects. Explain two (2) common side effects of amlodipine and two (2) common side effects of losartan.

d) Mr. D reports that he does not "watch his diet as he should." He saw an advertisement about medications that could help with cholesterol and is asking what kind of medication he is taking. You take the time to explain to Mr. D about atorvastatin and how it works to control cholesterol. Discuss the pharmacologically class and mechanism of action of atorvastatin.

e) Discuss two (2) significant side/adverse effects that are important to inform Mr D about regarding taking atorvastatin? Discuss two (2) interventions used to minimise or prevent these side effects.

f) You also need to check Mr D’s understanding on the mechanism of action of metformin. He states it lowers his blood sugar levels. You feel Mr D requires further education regarding oral hypoglycaemic medications. Discuss how oral hypoglycaemic medications reduce BSLs that differs from the action of insulin.

Part 2: Emergency Visit to Hospital

One week later, Mr. D is on a conference call at work and begins to feel nauseated. While walking to the restroom, Mr. D begins to have sharp left-sided chest pain, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis. A co-worker sees Mr. D grabbing his chest and calls the ambulance. Upon arrival at the hospital, an ECG is performed and vital signs are recorded. His vital signs are BP 100/60 mmHg, HR 120 beats/min, RR 28 breaths/min, temp 36.8° C and SaO2 93%. His initial ECG shows no ST segment elevation and is initially treated for angina. Mr. D is awake, alert, and extremely anxious. The emergency department team administers the following medications: morphine sulfate 2mg intravenously, aspirin 300mg by mouth, nitroglycerin 0.3mg sublingually, and oxygen at 2L/min.

Task: Write 600 words addressing the following questions:

a) Describe the pharmacological class morphine belongs and one (1) purpose for the emergency medical team giving Mr. D this drug. Discuss the mechanism of action of morphine.

b) Mr. D is extremely anxious and does not want to take the aspirin. To assist the emergency medical personnel, you discuss with Mr. D that aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is being given to him for a specific reason. Discuss one reason for the administration of aspirin in this scenario.

c) To help Mr. D understand why he is receiving so many medications, what health teaching will you provide about the purpose of administering nitroglycerin/GTN (Anginine)? Discuss the mechanism of action of GTN (Anginine) and two (2) side effects that Mr D may experience that is important in this health teaching.

d) Considering his medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia, what health promotion teaching will you provide Mr D before his discharge? Discuss two (2) topics to teach or instruct Mr D which may improve his current health.

e) Discuss how you would conduct this teaching addressing Mr D’s cultural requirements. What interventions or factors could be utilised to enhance this education in regards to Mr D’s aboriginal culture?

Part 3: Follow-up visit to General Practitioner

Several months later, Mr D visits his doctor again with his wife. His wife states that Mr D is always sleeping, is reluctant to go to work and has had many days away and needs encouragement to shower every day. Mr D states he has no appetite, has no energy and finds it difficult to sleep at night. The doctor suspects Mr D has depression. He commences Mr D on fluoxetine 10mg in the morning.

Task: Write 600 words addressing the following questions:

a) Mrs D asks how this medication will help with her husband’s issues. Discuss the pharmacological class of fluoxetine and its mechanism of action.

b) Mr D has expressed concern about side effects of this medication and interactions with his other medications. Discuss two (2) common side effects that can occur

c) As significant therapeutic benefits of antidepressant therapy are not apparent for some weeks, compliance/adherence may be a problem. Outline one (1) approach that could be used to promote drug compliance/adherence.

d) Patients with depression often think about suicide. Therefore, discuss two (2) strategies that would be appropriate to advice Mrs D regarding caring for her husband taking these medications? When is the highest risk of this occurring?

e) After 4 weeks on this medication, Mr D presents back to his doctor for review. His depressive symptoms have not improved. His doctor decides to switch to another drug in a different class. Discuss one other common drug used in treatment of depression (other than from the same pharmacological class as fluoxetine). Name the pharmacological class of this drug and discuss the mechanism of action?

Assessment 3 Marking Criteria

Student name: Student Number:

*up-to-date= journal articles less than 10 years, textbooks and other sources less than 5 years

This Assessment is worth 50% of the weighting for this unit.

Late Penalty (if applicable):    %         Overall Marks:     /100                    (Overall Percentage: /50%)

Markers Comments:

Marker: