SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Administer medication in a home environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114419  Administer medication in a home environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Hygiene & Cleaning Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners working towards this standard will be voluntary community workers, domestic workers working towards a full qualification and /or will be involved in a frail care environment or perform home care for frail person. Qualifying learners are able to administer medicines.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Storing medicines
  • Explaining the administration of prescribed medicines
  • Giving medicine by mouth
  • Giving medicine by inhalation
  • Administering medicine by rectum
  • Instilling eye, ear and nose drops 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner has the speaking and listening ability equal to an ABET Level 2 or any other communication skill that will enable him/her to confirm the knowledge and skills required by this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The scope of this unit standard is for any person who needs to administer medicine to patients in a home care environment.
  • The level assigned to this unit standard is appropriate because the process is limited in range, very repetitive and familiar, no generation of new ideas is needed and the person has no responsibility for the learning of others.
  • In the context of this unit standards administering medicine is done in the homecare environment for the aged, frail, sick and disabled.
  • Universal Precautions refer to a method of infection control in which all human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids (Saliva) are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV and HBV. The learner will therefore use the protection of latex gloves if available otherwise a clean plastic bag over the hand secured with an elastic band at the wrists.
  • Conditions for which suppositories are used may include but are not limited to Arthritis, asthma, anti-inflammatory, fever and vomiting in children, to clear patient from constipation, for rectal pain such as haemorrhoids.
  • Inhalation include but is not limited to any method such as rebuilding, steam inhalation, oxygen treatment. It is used for patients with respiratory (breathing) conditions to open the airways and/or aid breathing.
  • Items necessary for the medicine tray may include but are not limited to: Tray cloth, medicine, medicine glass, jug of water, swabs, teaspoon on saucer, napkin, covering cloth.
  • Items necessary for inhalation method include but are not limited to: Table, enamel jug or Nelson's inhaler, small towel to place around inhaler, Tray on which to stand inhaler, boiling water and the medication, bath towel to cover patient's head.
  • Patient : Include but not limited to any person who for a period of time needs to remain in the bed, the disabled, the frail, the aged, children.
  • Care giver: Includes but not limited to any person voluntary or not who gives care to any person that is confined to bed and needs looking after.
  • Storing medicines include but is not limited to storage of medicines in medicine cupboards, lockable containers or cupboards, high access area etc, refrigerators. It needs to be cool, dry and out of reach for children. It also refers to refrigeration when required.
  • Inserting drops includes the whole range of instilling drops of liquid medicine into the eyes, ear or nose and ensuring the correct position of and instructions to the patient to aid entry of the medication.
  • Instructions for the patient include sniffing or "yawning" of instilled drops to aid entry of the medication into the nose and ear respectively.
  • Prepare the medication for inhalation includes preparation of any of the following, nebulising, steam inhalation.
  • The 6 methods of giving medicines are by mouth, rectum, inhalation, injunction (absorption through the skin), instillation (drops), and injection.
  • Swabbing of eyes includes eyes swabbed from the inside to the outside and using a new swab for each eye.
  • Correct position of the patient refers to the patient lying on left side with right knee well drawn up for administering suppositories; patient lying down with affected ear facing up or sit in a chair with the head tilted for instilling ear drops; patient sitting/ or lying with head tilted backwards for instilling nose or eye drops. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Store medicines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ways in which medicines are stored is explained with examples of each different way. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of not keeping medicines out of the reach of children is explained with examples of the consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ways in which pills can be identified is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The right conditions for storing medicines are explained in accordance with temperature and light precautions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The action taken when treatment is changed is explained with examples of consequences when change is not made. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the administration of prescribed medicines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "prescribed medicine" is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The dangers of not adhering to instructions when administering medicine are explained with consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reason for sometimes giving medicine 4 times a day and sometimes 6 times a day when the label indicates medicines to be given four-hourly is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why unidentifiable and expired medicines must not be used are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The circumstances when the course of medicine needs to be completed are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Six methods of giving the correct medicines at the correct time to the correct patient are named and described according to a medicine schedule. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Give medicine by mouth. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The preparation for the administration of medicine by mouth is explained out according to instructions and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why medicine containers must be closed are explained with examples of the consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons and the ways to check that the patient swallowed the medicine are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The action to take if the patient has difficulties swallowing the medication is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Give medicine by inhalation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The preparation of equipment to give medicine by inhalation is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Clear instructions are given to the patient on how to inhale are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The inhalation process is explained according to respiratory processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The length of time the patient should be left to inhale the medication is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The method of inhalation that can be used in an emergency if commercial equipment is not available is described with an example. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Administer medicine by rectum. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The uses and conditions for using suppositories are explained according to medical definitions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Preparation for administering suppositories is explained according to instructions and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hygiene practices for administering suppositories are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instructions are given to the patient on their reactions and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Suppositories are inserted according to instructions and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The action to take in the event that the suppository did not take effect is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Instil eye, ear and nose drops. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hygienic practices for instilling eye, ear and nose drops are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The giving of eye, ear and nose drops at the correct time, dosage and for correct patient is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Positioning of the patient is for the instilling of eye, ear, nose drops is described with demonstrations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instilling of eye, ear and nose drops described according to instructions and requirements (Two of each must be done). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Instructions are given to the patient after administering of eye, ear and nose drops. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An assessor registered by the SETA ETQA will assess the competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied to the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair so that all candidates can have equal opportunities.
  • Assessment will be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Questions and answers must determine the theoretical knowledge.
  • Observation can be direct or in simulated conditions.
  • The practical demonstration of the competencies required in this unit standard can be direct or in simulated conditions.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication that may be verbal or any other agreed upon method.
  • Internal Moderation.
  • External Moderation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Knowledge of good practice when administering medicine to a child or patient at home. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
  • Identify and solve problems which occur in the preparation and administration of medication to a patient in the home environment.
  • Work effectively with the patient when administering eye, ear and nose drops.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in order to be in a position to administer eye, ear and nose drops.
  • Communicate effectively with the patient when administering eye, ear and nose drops. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Definition of terms within this unit standard:
  • Inhalation refers to breathing in gas (oxygen) or medication (steam mixed with drugs).
  • Inunction refers to the absorption of medication through the skin, by using an ointment.
  • Instillation refers to the giving of medicine through drops into the nose, eyes or ears.
  • Suppository refers to a large, cone or bullet shaped "tablet" with a greasy feel. It is made with a chemical that melts at body temperature inside the rectum and is intended to be inserted into the rectum. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  23853   GETC: Domestic Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  80786   National Certificate: Home-Care Practices  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.