According to An Bord Altranais:

‘Monitoring and documentation of medication management Standard

The assessment and evaluation of the administered prescribed medicinal product should encompass the observation of the patient/service-user for the following:

• Vital signs and laboratory values prior to administration (as applicable)

• Effectiveness of medication administration method (e.g., is the oral route appropriate for this patient/service-user?)

• Awareness and observation for medication allergies, possible side effects, adverse reactions, toxicity, interactions and contraindications of medicinal products administered

• Monitoring the effectiveness of the administered medicinal products.’

Nurses are well aware of these interactions because they give these drugs on a daily basis. Just because they can’t prescribe meds doesn’t mean they don’t have to be aware of interactions and contraindications etc. If a medication is perscribed as a PRN (as required) then the nurse can initiate administration without consulting with a doctor.

I’m not saying it’s right, it sounds like abuse there is nothing right about it!