Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Children's Nurses

Ian Peate, Peter Dryden, Ian Peate, Peter Dryden

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781119633235
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Nursing

Registered Nurses must have thorough knowledge of pharmacology, medicines administration, and the effects of medicines. Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Children's Nurses is written for nurses and allied health professionals involved in the care of children and young people (CYP) to focus exclusively on pharmacology. Filling a gap in current literature on the subject, this much-needed resource develops the competence and confidence required to prescribe, dispense, and administer medicines to children and young people.

Emphasising the importance of patient-centered care to CYP, the text describes the role of the healthcare provider working with CYP and their families; explains how to use pharmaceutical and prescribing reference guides; discusses legal and ethical issues; examines pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, and more. Helping readers respond appropriately and compassionately to the needs of those receiving care and their families, this textbook:

• Covers a wide range of medications used in diabetes, cancer, mental health, and other areas
• Features a wealth of full-colour images and numerous pedagogical tools including learning objectives, self-test questions, and reflective exercises to enable readers to contextualise and assess their knowledge
• Presents case studies to reinforce learning, and illustrate the application of theory to practice
• Provides authoritative and practical guidance on formulations, adverse drug reactions, analgesics, antibiotics, immunisations, and the medications most commonly used when providing care to CYP
• Includes access to a companion website with interactive MCQs, case studies, references, an image bank, and links to further reading and supplemental resources

Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Children's Nurses is essential reading for undergraduate children's nursing students, trainee nursing associates, those undertaking healthcare programmes of study, as well as those seeking to better understand pharmacology.

1
Introduction to Pharmacology, Children and Young People

Jane Callum

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Aim

This chapter provides the reader with an introduction to pharmacology and its application to children and young people (CYP).

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Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter the reader will:

• Understand the importance of following policies and the issues associated with medicine management
• Recognise the legal frameworks and NMC code within this important aspect of care
• Increase knowledge and understanding of pharmacological principles associated with the child, young person and their family
• Appreciate the importance of the role of the family/carer and family‐centred care

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Test Your Knowledge

1. What is your role in medicine management?
2. What are the five principles of medication administration?
3. What is the difference between the terms ‘drug’ and ‘medicine’?
4. Describe family‐centred care and its importance in your practice?
5. What does medicine optimisation mean?

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Table 1.1 Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Source: Based on Haddad and Nutt, 2020.

PHARMACOKINETICS	PHARMACODYNAMICS
absorption	molecular
distribution	biochemical
metabolism	physiological effects of drugs on the body
excretion of drugs in the body

Introduction to Pharmacology

Pharmacology is present in daily life, from medicines bought over the counter in shops such as decongestants, nappy rash cream and pain relief, to prescription‐only medicines including antibiotics and inhalers. Lifestyle and what we eat and drink also have an impact on our bodies and our health, which can often be categorised as drugs. This includes drinks containing cafeine, chocolate, alcohol, vitamins and minerals as well as illegal substances. Before going further into this chapter, it is useful to define the terms ‘drug’ and ‘medicine’, which are often used interchangeably in texts. Medicine can be defined as a drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease, whereas a drug is described as a medicine or other substance that can be natural or artificially made which has a physiological effect when inhaled, ingested or inserted into the body or applied topically to the skin. The definitions link to each other except that the word ‘drug’ can be used for a product not necessarily designed to treat or prevent disease.

Pharmacology can be described in its most simple terms as a science or branch of medicine that looks at all aspects of medicinal drugs, including how they are used, what effect they have on the body and how they are excreted. It is important to understand how medications work and the actions they have on the systems of the body for the safety of the people you offer care and support to. You may read the term ‘drug actions’, which is the commonly used shortened term for this.

Pharmacology has been divided into two overarching categories, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and it is important to understand the difference (see Table 1.1). The pharmacokinetic aspect of pharmacology examines the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body. Pharmacodynamics is a more detailed scientific aspect of the molecular, biochemical and physiological effects of drugs. As a lifelong learner you will learn about and develop your understanding of the pharmacokinetics of different medications, as well as the side effects, how to manage these and how medications interact with each other. This is an important aspect of healthcare, ensuring that you are providing safe and effective care to CYP, whilst being knowledgeable in detecting side effects or contraindications and seeking further support in managing these for the safety of individual patients.

Professional Framework

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) set the standards that all nurses must adhere to as outlined in the Code of Conduct (NMC, 2018a). As part of a nurse’s role the NMC highlight that the CYP in your care, and their family, must be able to trust you with their health and well‐being (NMC, 2018a). To be able to justify that trust, nurses must adhere to the following four P’s:

• Prioritise people
• Practise effectively
• Preserve safety
• Promote professionalism and trust

Within Preserving Safety, section 18 of the Code specifically focuses on aspects of medicine management and the role of the nurse which includes:

Advise on, prescribe, supply, dispense or administer medicines within the limits of your training and competence, the law, our guidance and other relevant policies, guidance and regulations.

NMC, 2018a – see Table 1.2

Table 1.2 Medicine administration, preservation of safety.

To preserve safety in relation to medicine administration, you must:
18.1	Prescribe, advise on, or provide medicines or treatment, including repeat prescriptions (only if you are suitably qualified) if you have enough knowledge of that person’s health and are satisfied that the medicines or treatment serve that person’s health needs
18.2	Keep to appropriate guidelines when giving advice on using controlled drugs and recording the prescribing, supply, dispensing or administration of controlled drugs
18.3	Make sure that the care or treatment you advise on, prescribe, supply, dispense or administer for each person is compatible with any other care or treatment they are receiving, including (where possible) over the counter medicines
18.4	Take all steps to keep medicines stored securely
18.5	Wherever possible, avoid prescribing for yourself or for anyone with whom you have a close personal relationship

Source: NMC (2018a). This extract is reproduced and reprinted with permission with th...