NUR-NAS7503 - Medication Aide and Dementia

Course Description

Permission required prior to enrollment

Contact cehealth@cpcc.edu for details

This course covers the basic preparation for administration of medications by unlicensed persons in a variety of settings. It is designed to prepare persons to take the competency testing required for listing as a Medication Aide in the State of North Carolina (NC). Each agency will have rules, policies, and regulations that you will have to adhere to in addition to the ones outlined in this course. Be sure you know and follow the regulations of your agency. In addition to learning how to prepare and administer basic medications safely, this course will also prepare the learner to gain a better understanding on how to administer medication to a patient with Dementia.

Course Outline

Unit I: Scope of Duties

Identify the general role of a Medication Aide; Explain the expectations and limitations of the role of Medication Aide; Discuss the consequences of exceeding or not fulfilling the expectations of the Medication Aide; Discuss the responsibilities of the employing health care setting in providing supervision and on-going training for the Medication Aide; Explain basic roles of the physician, pharmacist, RNs, LPNs, personal care supervisors, and Medication Aides in the health care system.

Unit II: Legal/Ethical Responsibilities

Recognize legal implications of negligence, fraud, and diversion; Recognize issues around medication administration errors; Explain the client’s right to privacy, confidentiality, independence, and refusal.

Unit III: Overview of Medication Administration

Demonstrate proficiency and safety in preparation of medications; Recognize commonly used abbreviations and terminology related to medication administration; Recognize proficiency in reading a medication label; Use the SIX RIGHTS to administer oral, topical, eye, ear, inhalant, vaginal and rectal mediations; Demonstrated the use of the Medication Administration Records (MARs); Identify proper action to take when special circumstances occur in relation to medication administration; Recognize the role of parent/guardian in providing consent for medication administration to children or non-competent adults.

Unit IV: Infection Control

At the completion of this unit of study, the student should practice the principles of infection control while preparing and administering medications.

Unit V: Medication Administration Supplies: At the completion of this unit of study, the student should demonstrate efficiency in preparing a clean, well-lit and well supplied work area from which to safely administer medication.

Unit VI: Administration of Medications

Demonstrate the skills of general medication administration; Administer oral, eye, ear, nasal, inhalant, transdermal, topical, buccal, sublingual, vaginal and rectal medications by using the SIX RIGHTS.

Unit VII: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Define the terms Dementia and Alzheimer’s; Identify common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease; Recognize the behaviors associated with dementia; Demonstrate communication strategies to enhance communication with a patient with dementia; Describe the Medication Aide’s role in the administration of medication to a patient with dementia; Identify strategies to reduce anxiety and aggression when administering medications.

Learner Outcomes

This course is 30 hours in length. There will be multiple skills lab opportunities within the course as well as skills
competency testing. Successful completion of the Medication Administration: A Medication Aide Training Course will
help to prepare the participant to take the state competency test. The participant must pass the state competency
test to be listed on the North Carolina Medication Aide Registry.

Notes

• High School Graduate or GED
• 18 years of age or older
• Current active listing on North Carolina Nurse Aide I registry with no substantiated findings.
• Be able to understand, follow, and communicate verbal and written English instructions.