Course Title: Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: NURS5418C
Course Title: Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5417 - Diploma of Nursing
Course Contact: Suzie Cicero
Course Contact Phone: 03 9925-1812
Course Contact Email: suzie.cicero@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Bundoora PC Pink Garg
City PC Prem Kaur
HLTENN040 course lead Lee Vaessen lee.vaessen@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 275
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Nil
Course Description
In this course you will learn the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to administer and monitor medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy including calculating dosage requirements, reading and applying written instructions from an authorised prescriber, assessing the person for medicine effectiveness and side effects, and responding to an allergic pharmacological reaction.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
HLTENN040 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy |
Element: |
1. Minimise potential risk to ensure safe administration of medicine. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Refer to drugs and poisons schedules and classifications as determined by law. 1.2. Identify indications for prescribed medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy. 1.3. Identify pharmacology and substance incompatibilities in relation to specific situations involving medicine administration, blood and blood products. 1.4. Evaluate the effect of commonly used medicine and IV fluids on the body before medicine administration and IV infusion. 1.5. Refer to medical history records to identify documented allergies and contraindications. |
Element: |
2. Prepare for medicine administration and infusion of IV fluids. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Explain the process of medicine administration and IV fluid infusion to the person, confirm their understanding and obtain consent. 2.2. Identify correct administration route and site for medicine and IV fluid to be administered and position the person. 2.3. Calculate accurate medicine dosage and IV fluid infusion rate for administration of drugs. 2.4. Prepare medicine in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements and organisational policies and procedures. 2.5. Identify medicine administration techniques and precautions specific to the person’s situation and as per medicine orders. 2.6. Prepare blood and blood products for blood transfusions according to organisational policies and procedures. 2.7 Assess intravenous access site and line for abnormalities and refer to registered nurse and treating team as required in accordance with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. |
Element: |
3. Administer and store medicine. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Administer medicine and IV fluid to the person applying the Rights of Medication Administration and in accordance with jurisdictional and legislative requirements, organisational policies and procedures and professional practice standards. 3.2. Report a person’s refusal of medicine, IV therapy and incomplete medicine and IV therapy administration to the supervising registered nurse. 3.3. Ensure medicine and blood and blood products are stored, handled and disposed of according to legislation, organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions. |
Element: |
4. Monitor and evaluate a person's response to administered medicine, IV fluids and blood and blood products. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Identify, monitor, document and report acute and delayed adverse reactions of the person to administered medicine, IV fluids, blood and blood products. 4.2. Implement emergency actions in response to identified adverse event. 4.3. Monitor and evaluate IV cannula according to organisational policies and procedures. 4.4. Provide information to the person, families or carer relating to administration of medicines including possible side effects. |
Element: |
5. Assess effectiveness of pain-relieving medicine. |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Undertake comprehensive pain assessment. 5.2. Clarify location and nature of pain and discomfort, taking into account factors that influence person’s perception of pain. 5.3. Identify prescribed medicines and complementary strategies to alleviate pain and discomfort. 5.4. Assess evaluate and document medicine effectiveness and undertake comprehensive pain assessment. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is designed to be delivered in a Blended Learning mode. Blended learning involves learning through various modes, for example, online learning and learning in a classroom and clinical labs.
The Blended Learning approach for this unit includes:
- Online learning - prepares you for flipped class, provides you with formative feedback and facilitates your learning as you progress through your course.
- Classroom teaching - introduces you to key concepts within the course using flipped learning
- Labs - provides practice and simulation
- Clinical experience - provides you with practical experience in a nursing health care environment
- Self-directed learning - such as reading to expand your knowledge and understanding of information delivered
All learning activities you will undertake within the course are designed to provide you with the practical skills, knowledge and attitudes required to perform to the standard expected in the health industry.
Teaching Schedule
Date, Week, Session |
Topic, Activity, Assessment |
Week 1 |
Topic 1 - Legal Topic 2 - Enteral Routes LAB 1 - Enteral |
Week 2 |
Topic 3 - Medications Calculations Topic 4 - Pharmacology LAB 2 - Oral meds |
Week 3 |
Topic 5 - Respiratory Topic 6 - Cardiac antihypertensives LAB 3 - Oral meds and Inhalation |
Week 4 |
Topic 7 - Cardiac antianginals and antihyperlipidaemia Topic 8 - antiplatelets |
Week 5 |
LAB 4 - SC/IM |
Week 6 |
Topic 9 - Anticoagulants Topic 10 - Parenteral routes: IM. Subcutaneous injections Topic 11 - Anaesthetic agents AT3 Practical Oral medication 1st attempt (20th March 2025) |
Week 7 |
Topic 12 - Diabetes medication AT1 Enteral and Parenteral Calculations 1st attempt (26th March 2025) Topic 13 – Inotropes |
Week 8 |
AT2 Assessment - Medication profile presentations (31st March 2025) Topic 14 - GIT medications LAB 5 - SC/IM Calculation remediation |
Week 9 |
Topic 15 - Analgesia AT1 Assessment – Calculations 2nd attempt (9th April 2025) Topic 16 - Antibiotics |
Week 10 |
AT5 Case Study ONE 1st attempt (14th April 2025)
AT4 Practical Subcutaneous and Intramuscular 1st attempt (Due date canvas) |
Mid Semester break 21st April - 28th April 2025 | |
Week 11 |
Medication LAB remediation – oral, subcut and IM |
Week 12 |
AT3 Practical Oral medication 2nd attempt (5th May 2025)
AT4 Practical Subcutaneous and Intramuscular 2nd attempt (5th May 2025)
AT5 Case Study ONE 2nd attempt (7th May 2025) |
Week 13 |
nil |
Week 14 |
Sub-Acute Ward Day 0830hrs to 1830hrs |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
During the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121), you will complete 400 hours of compulsory unpaid clinical placements, across four phases (semesters). Aged Care 120 hours, Mental Health and Primary Health 80 hours each and Acute Care 120 hours.
You must meet all the unit/course requirements before you are eligible for clinical placement, this includes immunisations, NDIS check, Working with Childrens and Police check. If you do not meet these requirements, you may incur a penalty in the form of a fine.
Assessment Tasks
AT1 Enteral and Parenteral Calculations
AT2 Medication Group presentation
AT3 Practical oral medication
AT4 Practical subcutaneous intramuscular
AT5 Case Study ONE
AT6 Clinical Placement 3
AT7 Intravenous Calculations
AT8 Practical Intravenous injection and Gravity
AT9 Practical Blood and Intramuscular
AT10 Case Study TWO
AT11 Clinical Placement 4
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Flipped learning
The classes for this course will be conducted using the Flipped Learning approach. This innovative teaching method aims to create a more interactive and engaging learning experience by reversing the traditional classroom model.
What is Flipped Learning?
In a flipped classroom, students will review instructional content, such as lecture videos, reading materials, or online resources, before the class. During the classroom sessions, the focus will shift to active learning, where you will engage in discussions, group work, problem-solving activities, and hands-on projects with your instructor's guidance.
How will this affect your studies?
- Before Class: You will be required to review course materials (videos, readings, etc.) provided by your instructors. These resources will help you gain the foundational knowledge needed for the class.
- During Class: Classroom time will be used for deeper learning, collaboration, and practical application of the concepts you’ve studied. Active participation will be key.
- After Class: You will continue to reinforce your learning with assignments, self-assessment tools, and further practice.
What is expected of you?
- Stay on top of the pre-class content.
- Come prepared to engage in discussions and activities.
- Take an active role in your learning process by asking questions and collaborating with peers.
This approach is designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Student Attendance
All students are required to:
- Attend and participate appropriately in all scheduled activities.
- Complete pre-class preparation – e.g., recommended reading and learning activities on Canvas.
- Study all material provided to maximise chances of meeting the Unit's objectives.
- Meet the 100% attendance requirement for lectures.
Up to 80% attendance will be accepted with evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration. It will be the student's responsibility to catch up and/ or seek assistance from their educator. If a student’s attendance falls below 80%, they will undergo a review by the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator, and may be required to repeat the course.
- All students must demonstrate 80% engagement with the learning resources provided. This includes but is not limited to the Canvas practice knowledge quizzes, which must be completed on time. Canvas analytics will be used to identify student engagement. This can affect student progression.
- All students must meet the 100% attendance requirement for practical sessions. Evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration must be provided if one cannot attend to qualify for a make-up session. The 'make-up' session time and date will be at the discretion of the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator. Non-attendance to the make-up session without evidence to support the non-attendance can result in no further opportunity.
- Failure to meet the 100% practical sessions attendance requirement can result in exclusion from the clinical skills assessments, leading to a Not Yet Satisfactory result and ultimately Not Yet Competent outcome in relevant courses.
- Four hundred (400) clinical placement hours must be completed by the end of the program to meet the program requirements.
Clinical Placement
Please note an opportunity to repeat clinical placement is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the Program Manager. The above requirements will be considered in the decision making.
Important information regarding Assessment Tasks:
Refer to individual assessment task instructions for information on when and how to submit and specific assessment conditions.
Assessment Attempts:
Self-marking quizzes
- Student will be permitted 2 attempts to complete self-marking assessments. If a student requires guidance, it is their responsibility to reach out to the Lead Campus Educator.
All other assessments
- You are permitted 2 attempts on written and practical assessments.
- Resubmissions are not automatic and will only be approved at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, after consultation with the teacher. Attendance and course engagement will be taken into consideration when deciding.
- if you answer less than 50% of the questions in each part during your first attempt, you will not be granted a second attempt.
- All resubmissions must be completed and submitted no more than 7 days after your work has been assessed.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer
If you think you have some or all of the knowledge and competencies described, please discuss the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options with may be available to you with your Course Coordinator. For more information go to:
Please read the following thoroughly by clicking the links:
Special consideration
Use the special consideration process if your circumstances are such that you cannot fulfil assessment requirements. For example, if you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by a due date.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview