Analyse the bio-science that underpins the principles and skills for safe prescribing and administration of medication for people experiencing mental distress.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1- Evaluate the action of medication in relation to the management of acute and chronic conditions.

2- Analyse the bio-science that underpins the principles and skills for safe prescribing and administration of medication for people experiencing mental distress.

3- Demonstrate a critical awareness of evidence-based strategies to promote person-centered care in relation to medication concordance and shared decision-making.

4- Analyse appropriate evidence-based strategies to proactively manage and prevent adverse events within medication management in people experiencing mental distress.

The exam will focus on a case study, and you will be asked to critically explore the diagnosis (relating this to ICD-10), and show an understanding of the possible medication options, and monitoring for side effects, adverse reactions, and effectiveness of the medication. You will have 6 questions to answer. We would expect you to write about 2000 words overall, 300-350 words per question. You may

find that you use slightly more words on some questions than on others.

You will need to refer to NICE Guidelines, the BNF, and SPC and Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines for this – all of which are available online.

You will need to show an understanding of the relevant bioscience by discussing the pharmacological actions of the medications and the reasons for side effects.

You may also be asked to consider issues relating to consent and concordance and will need to be prepared to show an understanding of the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.

The case study will include areas for you to evaluate. There may be issues with diagnosis and prescribed medication which you will need to identify. You may not think that the prescription in the case study matches current NICE guidance. Please use resources to support your answers.

You may also be asked to suggest relevant health promotion to go alongside medication.

Your work will be assessed using level 6 criteria which is available on your feedback sheet and below.

The questions are designed so that you can demonstrate the ability to interpret and act upon the information that you have as well as demonstrate that you have appropriate underpinning knowledge (see the marking criteria for more information).

The questions will ask you to relate the knowledge you have gained throughout the module to nursing practice.