Main description:

Now updated, this portable handbook enables the practitioner to make informed and evidence based decisions regarding medication. Medicines management is more than simple drug administration. At every interaction with patients, the nurse is making a number of complex clinical decisions.

In Clinical Pocket Reference: Practical Medicines Management, the practitioner will find the core knowledge to safely administer drugs to the adult patient, and to communicate with them about the medicines they are taking. The goal is to enable concordance between the healthcare professional and the patient.

Complementing the guidance provided in detail in the BNF, this handbook provides rapid access to: indications, or why a drug is necessary; actions, or how the drug will work; normal dose and dose range; usual route and any specific skill required to safely administer via that route; any possible interactions and cautions and contraindications.

Newly registered nurses, established practitioners, nurses returning to practice and nursing associates will find this an essential support in their daily practice. Trainers running statutory and mandatory courses within hospitals will find that Clinical Pocket Reference Practical Medicines Management reinforces key messages about this important task, and enables safe and confident practice

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Definitions and symbols
3. SI units
4. A brief explanation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
5. Key principles by route of administration
6. Record-keeping and what to look for on a prescription
or prescription chart
7. Communication with the patient
8. Assessment for safe medicines management
9. Pain assessment and management
10. Tips for getting the most out of the BNF
11. Drug classes
A Analgesics
B Antibiotics
C Antidepressant and CNS drugs
D Antidiabetic drugs
E Anti-inflammatory drugs
F Respiratory drugs
G Skin preparations
H Cardiovascular drugs
I Drugs used to treat blood disorders
J Gastrointestinal and antiemetics
12. Drug calculations
13. Adverse drug reactions and incident reporting
14. Drug-related emergencies (anaphylaxis & hypoglycaemia)
15. Index of drug names
16. Abbreviations