Patient Education as a Safeguard in Drug Therapy

Patient Education as a Safeguard in Drug Therapy – enhancing patient education

1. identifying patient learning needs

2. achieving accurate teaching focus

3. communicating accurate content

4. evaluating & documenting educational outcomes (pt can demonstrate knowledge learned)

5. discussing contradictory information available on the internet

The importance of nursing management of drug therapy

1. continuous growth of importance of pharmacotherapy in nursing practice

2. legal responsibility of nurses for the drugs they administer & for safe drug administration

Aschenbrenner

Pharmacotherapeutics: achievement of the desired therapeutic goal from drug therapy

1. It is the clinical purpose or indication for giving a drug.

2. used to treat or manage a chronic condition (ie. aspirin for arthritis pain)

3. induce a cure (antibiotic for an infection)

4. prevent a problem (fluoride for teeth)