Discussion 1
Assessment Descriiption
Depending on the board of nursing in your state, there may be additional requirements to become a prescriber after you complete your APRN program. For example, those who are being licensed/practicing in California are required to take an additional 3-hour pharmacology course for prescribing privileges. Describe the necessary steps required, for your state, in order to become a prescriber? Hypothetically, after you have completed these steps, you decide to celebrate on a family vacation in a different state. Your sister asks you to refill her levothyroxine because she forgot to pack her medication. What are the legal and ethical implications in your state as a new prescriber?
Discussion 2
Assessment Descriiption
Select a special population (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics, pregnancy, lactation). Select a route of administration (e.g., oral, IV, subcutaneous, IM, transdermal, rectal, inhalation, SL) and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this administration route. Give an example of a medication administered by your chosen route and a good patient candidate or rationale for choosing your given route of administration. Take into consideration guidelines that apply to medication administration in your special population (e.g., Beer’s criteria, pregnancy and lactation categories) and discuss why you selected these guidelines. Discuss the issue of polypharmacy in the population you select. Include the name of the medication in the subject line so that the medications can be followed. Make sure you choose a different medication from your peers. Include references in APA format.
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For Discussion 1, the necessary steps to become a prescriber will depend on the state in which you are practicing. It is important to check with your state’s board of nursing to determine the specific requirements for obtaining prescribing privileges. In general, APRNs may need to complete additional coursework in pharmacology, pass a certification exam, and obtain a prescribing license or certification.
If you are a new prescriber and you decide to celebrate a family vacation in a different state, it is important to be aware of the legal and ethical implications of prescribing medication in that state. The practice of nursing, including prescribing, is regulated by each state’s board of nursing, and the laws and regulations governing the practice of nursing can vary from state to state. It is important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations of the state in which you are practicing, and to practice within the scope of your license. In general, it would be unethical and potentially illegal for a new prescriber to prescribe medication to a family member, as this could be seen as a conflict of interest.
For Discussion 2, if we select the special population of pediatrics and the route of administration of oral, some advantages of this route of administration include that it is generally convenient, easy to administer, and well-tolerated by most patients. Disadvantages may include the potential for incorrect dosing, difficulty swallowing the medication, or difficulty administering the medication to young children.
An example of a medication that could be administered orally to pediatric patients is acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. A good patient candidate for this medication might be a child who is experiencing pain or a fever and is able to swallow tablets or liquids.
When selecting medication administration guidelines for pediatric patients, it is important to consider the specific age and weight of the patient, as well as any underlying medical conditions. One guideline that may be applicable in this population is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendations for the safe use of acetaminophen in children. The AAP recommends that acetaminophen should be used carefully in children, and the dosage should be based on the child’s weight and age.
The issue of polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications by a single patient, is also an important consideration in the pediatric population. It is important for healthcare providers to carefully review the medications a child is taking to ensure that they are necessary and that there are no potential drug interactions or negative effects on the child’s health.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). Acetaminophen use in children. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Acetaminophen-Use-in-Children.aspx
