Module 10: Assisting with Medications – Group
Assignment (Part I)
Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate Program
Group Number: [Insert Group #]
Group Members: [Insert Member Names]
Date: August 2026
Alpha College • Healthcare & Community Services Department
MODULE 10: ASSISTING WITH MEDICATIONS GROUP ASSIGNMENT (PART I)
Table of Contents
Overview of Presentation Structure
Slides 3–6: Question 1 – The A.C.T.I.O.N. Acronym Breakdown
Slides 7–9: Question 2 – Situation 1 (Parkinson’s & Self-Administration)
Slides 10–12: Question 2 – Situation 2 (Rheumatoid Arthritis & Docette Opening)
Slides 13–15: Question 2 – Situation 3 (Care Plan Reminders & Refusal)
Slides 16–18: Question 2 – Situation 4 (Medication Strength Discrepancy)
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 2
QUESTION 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW
Question 1 – The A.C.T.I.O.N. Framework (Overview)
Structured clinical tool for medication problem-solving
Purpose: A structured clinical tool used by personal support workers to safely identify, observe, report, and document medication-related
challenges.
A – Observe & Assess the Situation I – Identify Safety Risks & Issues
C – Check the Care Plan & Medication Details O – Organize Action & Assist Responsibly
T – Talk with the Client & Supervisor/RN N – Note & Document in Client Records
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 3
QUESTION 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. BREAKDOWN STEPS A & C
Question 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. Breakdown (A & C)
Step-by-step application
A – Assess / Observe:
• Pay close attention to changes in the client's physical state, cognitive function, dexterity, or unwillingness to take medication.
C – Check:
• Review the client's care plan, the 8 Rights of Medication Assistance, and the prescription label to verify accuracy.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 4
QUESTION 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. BREAKDOWN STEPS T & I
Question 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. Breakdown (T & I)
Step-by-step application
T – Talk:
• Communicate directly with the client to understand their perspective. Immediately notify the supervising nurse (RN/RPN) or supervisor
about any concerns.
I – Identify:
• Pinpoint the exact cause of the medication issue (e.g., side effects, physical difficulty opening containers, refusal, or order
discrepancy).
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 5
QUESTION 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. BREAKDOWN STEPS O & N
Question 1 – A.C.T.I.O.N. Breakdown (O & N)
Step-by-step application
O – Organize & Act:
• Implement safe, scope-appropriate actions based on the supervisor's guidance and care plan protocols.
N – Note & Document:
• Record clear, factual, objective details in the client’s progress notes immediately following the encounter.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 6
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 1 PART (A) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Situation 1 – Part (a) Problem Identification
Parkinson's & Self-Administration
Scenario Summary:
Client with Parkinson's trying to self-administer afternoon meds while wife is away on respite.
Main Problem / Challenge:
• Parkinson's disease causes fine motor tremors and rigidity, making manual self-administration difficult and unsafe without assistance.
• The primary caregiver (wife) is away during respite, leaving a temporary gap in support during the scheduled afternoon dose.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 7
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 1 PART (B) RESOURCE SECTION
Situation 1 – Part (b) Resource Section
Parkinson's & Self-Administration
Resource Section:
• Turn to Section: Physical Difficulties / Assistance Needs (or Assisting with Physical Impairment / Support Gaps) in the
Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O.N. Plan resource.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 8
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 1 PART (C) ACTION STEPS & PROGRESS NOTE
Situation 1 – Part (c) Action Steps & Progress Note
Parkinson's & Self-Administration
Action Steps (A.C.T.I.O.N.): Observe tremors, check care plan, talk with client, identify support gap, organize help, and note details.
PROGRESS NOTE ENTRY:
Date/Time: Aug 2, 2026 – 14:00
Note: Arrived for afternoon visit. Client observed experiencing hand tremors while attempting to open oral
medication. Assist provided to open container as requested per care plan during caregiver respite hours. Client
ingested afternoon dose without difficulty. RN notified to evaluate updating care plan for permanent afternoon
assistance.
Signature: [Your Name], PSW
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 9
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 2 PART (A) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Situation 2 – Part (a) Problem Identification
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Docette Opening
Scenario Summary:
84-year-old client with rheumatoid arthritis asking to have docette opened due to inflamed joints.
Main Problem / Challenge:
• Acute joint inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis severely impacts grip strength and dexterity.
• Client cannot physically open the docette compartments independently, creating a barrier to taking prescribed medications on time.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 10
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 2 PART (B) RESOURCE SECTION
Situation 2 – Part (b) Resource Section
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Docette Opening
Resource Section:
• Turn to Section: Physical Barriers & Opening Devices / Dosettes in the Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O.N. Plan resource.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 11
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 2 PART (C) ACTION STEPS & PROGRESS NOTE
Situation 2 – Part (c) Action Steps & Progress Note
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Docette Opening
Action Steps (A.C.T.I.O.N.): Observe inflammation, check docette, talk with client, identify physical barrier, assist opening, and note
details.
PROGRESS NOTE ENTRY:
Date/Time: Aug 2, 2026 – 09:15
Note: Client requested assistance opening morning docette compartment, citing severe joint pain and inflammation
in hands. Opened today's scheduled slot per RN-prepared docette. Client independently ingested medications with
water. Reported joint flare-up to supervisor.
Signature: [Your Name], PSW
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 12
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 3 PART (A) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Situation 3 – Part (a) Problem Identification
Care Plan Reminders & Refusal
Scenario Summary:
New client refusing BID anti-inflammatory medication, claiming he feels fine.
Main Problem / Challenge:
• Client demonstrates a lack of understanding regarding prescribed routine anti-inflammatory therapy (which requires consistency, not
just PRN use).
• Client exercises their right to refuse medication.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 13
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 3 PART (B) RESOURCE SECTION
Situation 3 – Part (b) Resource Section
Care Plan Reminders & Refusal
Resource Section:
• Turn to Section: Client Medication Refusal / Client Rights in the Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O.N. Plan resource.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 14
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 3 PART (C) ACTION STEPS & PROGRESS NOTE
Situation 3 – Part (c) Action Steps & Progress Note
Care Plan Reminders & Refusal
Action Steps (A.C.T.I.O.N.): Observe refusal, check care plan, talk/validate, identify reason, respect refusal, and notify RN.
PROGRESS NOTE ENTRY:
Date/Time: Aug 2, 2026 – 08:30
Note: Reminded client of scheduled morning anti-inflammatory medication BID. Client refused, stating, "I am fine
and don't need it today." Explained purpose per care plan, but client maintained refusal. Refusal respected;
medication left untouched. RN notified immediately at 08:35.
Signature: [Your Name], PSW
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 15
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 4 PART (A) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Situation 4 – Part (a) Problem Identification
Medication Strength Discrepancy
Scenario Summary:
Medication label strength differs from care plan after client visited clinic over the weekend.
Main Problem / Challenge:
• Discrepancy between actual medication container label strength and documented care plan instructions.
• Risk of medication administration error due to unverified dosage changes made over the weekend.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 16
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 4 PART (B) RESOURCE SECTION
Situation 4 – Part (b) Resource Section
Medication Strength Discrepancy
Resource Section:
• Turn to Section: Discrepancies & Order Changes / Label Mismatches in the Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O.N. Plan resource.
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 17
QUESTION 2 – SITUATION 4 PART (C) ACTION STEPS & PROGRESS NOTE
Situation 4 – Part (c) Action Steps & Progress Note
Medication Strength Discrepancy
Action Steps (A.C.T.I.O.N.): Observe label mismatch, check care plan, talk with client, identify unconfirmed change, withhold dose, and
notify RN.
PROGRESS NOTE ENTRY:
Date/Time: Aug 2, 2026 – 11:00
Note: While preparing to assist client, noted dosage strength on new medication container differs from current
care plan. Client stated doctor updated prescription during weekend clinic visit. Medication withheld due to
order mismatch. RN contacted at 11:05 to verify updated doctor's orders.
Signature: [Your Name], PSW
Personal Support Worker Certificate Program Slide 18