Title: Facilitate a client’s awareness of the purpose and effects of medications.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Understanding Basics of Medication Administration and Pharmacology

Facilitation may include communicating to the client the

- purpose of medication
  - to prevent illness (e.g., vaccines)
  - to eliminate and control infections (e.g., antibiotics)
  - to control disease (e.g., insulin)
  - to relieve symptoms related to illness (e.g., cough suppressant)
  - to maintain normal function
- effects of medication
  - therapeutic effect
  - undesired
    - adverse event
    - medication interactions

- two medications combining to produce a new, different, unwanted effect
- follow facility protocol for medication interactions

    - unwanted side effects
- potential for physical or psychological medication dependency
- potential for medication allergies
  - hypersensitivity
  - allergic reactions
    - appear within first few doses
    - observe and report
  - anaphylaxis
    - observe and report
    - treatment.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What patient education is required?
- What is the therapeutic purpose of medications?
- What is the difference between medication incompatibility and medication interactions, considering food-medication, medication-medication, and herbal-medication?
- What are the common medication interactions, including medication-medication and medication-food?
- What is the difference between a medication side effect and a medication adverse reaction?
- How would age affect the metabolism, absorption, and excretion of medication?
- What health conditions might affect the metabolism, absorption, and excretion of medication?