NCNZ Pharmacology and Medication Safety β Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NZ law, which legislation governs the classification and control of medicines?
- The Medicines Act 1981 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (Correct answer)
- The Hazardous Substances Act 1996 only
- The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
- The Food Act 2014
Correct answer: The Medicines Act 1981 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975
In NZ, medicines are governed by the Medicines Act 1981 (classification, prescribing, dispensing, and sale of medicines) and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (controlled drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances with abuse potential).
Question 2: What are the NZ medicine classification categories that nurses should understand?
- Prescription medicines, restricted medicines, pharmacy-only medicines, and general sale medicines (Correct answer)
- Over-the-counter and prescription only
- Class A, B, and C drugs only
- Hospital medicines and community medicines
Correct answer: Prescription medicines, restricted medicines, pharmacy-only medicines, and general sale medicines
NZ classifies medicines into four categories: prescription medicines (require a prescriber), restricted medicines (pharmacist supervision), pharmacy-only medicines (available from a pharmacy without prescription), and general sale medicines (available anywhere).
Question 3: What is the NZ nurse's role regarding controlled drugs (Class B and C) administration?
- Two registered health practitioners must independently check and sign for controlled drug administration (Correct answer)
- Only doctors can administer controlled drugs in NZ
- Controlled drugs can be administered by any staff member
- No special procedures apply to controlled drugs in NZ
Correct answer: Two registered health practitioners must independently check and sign for controlled drug administration
In NZ, controlled drug administration requires a double-checking process where two registered health practitioners independently verify the drug, dose, patient, and route. Both must sign the controlled drugs register.
Question 4: What must a NZ nurse do if they identify a potential adverse drug reaction in a patient?
- Stop the medication if clinically appropriate, manage the patient's symptoms, notify the prescriber, and report through the CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring) (Correct answer)
- Continue the medication and monitor the patient more closely
- Only report if the reaction is life-threatening
- Document it but take no further action
Correct answer: Stop the medication if clinically appropriate, manage the patient's symptoms, notify the prescriber, and report through the CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)
The nurse should withhold the medication if safe to do so, provide appropriate care for the symptoms, notify the prescriber immediately, document the reaction, and report it to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring) at the University of Otago.
Question 5: What is the NZ requirement for medication reconciliation at transitions of care?
- A complete list of the patient's current medications must be verified and reconciled at every transition point (admission, transfer, discharge) (Correct answer)
- Medication reconciliation is only needed at admission
- It is the pharmacist's sole responsibility, not the nurse's
- Medication reconciliation is optional in NZ hospitals
Correct answer: A complete list of the patient's current medications must be verified and reconciled at every transition point (admission, transfer, discharge)
Medication reconciliation is required at every transition of care in NZ β admission, transfer between wards, and discharge. It involves verifying all current medications to prevent errors such as omissions, duplications, and drug interactions.
Question 6: Under NZ regulations, what are standing orders and how do they relate to nursing practice?
- Written instructions authorising specified health practitioners to administer medications or treatments in defined circumstances without an individual prescription (Correct answer)
- Orders that require the patient to stand while receiving medication
- Permanent medication orders that never need to be reviewed
- Orders that only apply to military nurses
Correct answer: Written instructions authorising specified health practitioners to administer medications or treatments in defined circumstances without an individual prescription
Standing orders in NZ are written instructions issued by a medical practitioner that authorise specified health practitioners (including nurses) to supply or administer medicines in defined clinical situations without an individual prescription for each patient.
NCNZ Pharmacology and Medication Safety
Under NZ law, which legislation governs the classification and control of medicines?