Administering Medication

Question 1

What is the half life of a drug?

Answer 1

The time taken for the concentration of the drug to decrease by a half

Question 2

What is an agonist?

Answer 2

The cause and effect of a particular drug

Question 3

What is an antagonist?

Answer 3

Reverses the effect of an agonist

Question 4

What are the 3 categories of administrators?

Answer 4

1. GSL = General Sales List = over the counter
2. P = Pharmacy only
3. POM = Prescription Only Medication

Question 5

What is a midwives’ exemption?

Answer 5

All P and GSL medicines used in practice as well as certain POM that can be given by a midwife without a prescription

Question 6

What is needed if a drug is not on the list of midwifery exemptions?

Answer 6

Patient Group Directive (written direction for specific individual)

Question 7

What can students not give?

Answer 7

• Controlled drugs
• PGDs
• IVs
• Vaginal prostaglandins
• Blood

Question 8

What is an ACE inhibitor?

Answer 8

• Cause vasodilation, increased cardiac output and decreased BP
• Used to treat high BP and cardiac problems

Question 9

What is a beta blocker?

Answer 9

• Decrease HR by blocking adrenaline

- Used to treat high BP, cardiac problems, anxiety and hyperthyroidism

Question 10

What are opiates?

Answer 10

Painkillers:

• Codeine
• Pethidine
• Morphine
• Fentanyl

Question 11

What is a calcium channel blocker?

Answer 11

Decrease BP by preventing Ca from entering heart and arteries, causing vasodilation

Question 12

What is an NSAID?

Answer 12

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug:

• Ibuprofen
• Diclofenac
• Naproxen

Question 13

Can midwives prescribe regular medications if they are on the midwives’ emptions list?

Answer 13

No; we can supply and administer drugs on the midwives’ exemptions list, but this is different to prescribing as it does not involve a pharmacist in the sale or supply of the drug.