Recognising and Reporting Changes to the Individual
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Monitoring Effects of Medication on Service Users
Importance of Monitoring
Reporting Changes: When taking medication, service users may experience various changes.
- Changes can include personality, mood, general demeanour, and physical size.
- All changes, whether positive or negative, should be reported to line management and the GP.
- Document any observed changes in the service user's records.
Understanding Medication Effects
Staff should have a basic understanding of the medication being administered.
- Be aware of potential effects and side effects.
- Even subtle changes should be reported and documented.
Example: Antibiotics
Role of Antibiotics: Antibiotics are prescribed to combat bacterial infections.
- If a service user with a bacterial throat infection starts antibiotics, observe for:
- Reduction in throat pain
- Clearer speech
- Decreased discomfort when swallowing
Report any observed improvements or lack thereof to ensure proper treatment.
Remember, both positive and negative changes need to be accurately reported and documented.