BTEC Assignment Brief

Qualification Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy
Technicians
Unit number and
Unit 13: Medicinal Treatments for Cardio-respiratory Conditions
title

Learning Outcome 1: Understand the respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Learning Outcome 2: Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of
conditions of the respiratory system
Learning Learning Outcome 3: Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of
Outcomes conditions of the cardiovascular system
Learning Outcome 4: Understand the advice individuals need to manage their
condition

Assignment title Continued Professional Development Resources for Registered Pharmacy

Technicians

Assessor

Hand out date

Hand in deadline

You are a Registered Pharmacy Technician working in an NHS Trust that

specialises in respiratory and cardiovascular medicine. Your line manager has
asked you to utilise your knowledge of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
together with the appropriate use of associated medicines to produce four
resources to be used by your Registered Pharmacy Technician colleagues to
update their knowledge as part of their annual CPD GPhC registration
requirements. Specifically, your manager has requested that you produce:

Vocational 1. A written report upon the human respiratory and cardiovascular system.
Scenario 2. A CPD presentation on how medicines are used in the treatment of
conditions of respiratory conditions.
3. A CPD presentation on how medicines are used in the treatment of
conditions of cardiovascular conditions.
4. A staff information booklet that considers effective practice
associated with supporting patient care by advising on the treatment
and management of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Your manager has provided specific guidance in the tasks below.

(Total word count of 11,000)

 Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems
Task 1
Your manager has requested that you produce a word-processed report that explains the
structure of both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The first section of your report
should explain the structure of the respiratory system and how this system aids breathing
and gaseous exchange. The second section of your report should describe the
cardiovascular system and explain how its structure relates to its function.
Specific detail is provided below:

 Section 1: The structure of the respiratory system

 Within this section you should explain the structure of the respiratory system and
provide further explanation of how this system aids breathing and gaseous
exchange.
 This section should include the structure of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, capillary network and their functions in the
mechanism of breathing and gaseous exchange.

 Section 2: The structure of the cardiovascular system

 For this section, you should describe the structure of the cardiovascular system and
how its structure relates to its function. This section should include a description the
blood, heart, blood vessels i.e. the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins.
You should also explain how the structure of the cardiovascular system relates to its
functions, including the physiology and pathology relating to transport and
homeostasis.

Checklist of evidence
required A written report

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria To achieve the criteria, you must show that you are able to:
reference
Explain how the structure of the respiratory system aids breathing and gaseous
1.1
exchange
1.2 Describe the structure of the cardiovascular system
1.3 Explain how the structure of the cardiovascular system relates to its function
 How medicines are used in the treatment of conditions of respiratory conditions
Task 2
You have been asked by your line manager to produce an informative CPD guidebook for
your Pharmacy Technician colleagues to update their knowledge of respiratory conditions.
The training session is to provide CPD learning on common respiratory conditions,
medicines used in the treatment of respiratory conditions and side effects, including
reasons why side effects may occur. The CPD update should be covering all the areas listed
below.

This guidebook should provide cover all of the guidance provided below:

 Section 1: Four conditions that affect the respiratory system

 Describe at least four common conditions affecting the respiratory system. You must
include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but you can then choose
the other two conditions.

 Section 2: How common medicines are used in respiratory conditions

 Refer to the current edition of the British National Formulary (BNF) and other reliable
sources to describe at least TWO common medicines and treatments, including
agents and their actions, benefits and limitations and contraindications for your four
conditions in section one. Focus should be given towards including medicines and
their actions, side effects, benefits and limitations together with common
contraindications.
 For each medicine chosen, remember to include an explanation of why specific
common side effects may occur.

Checklist of evidence
required A written guidebook

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria To achieve the criteria, you must show that you are able to:
reference
2.1 Describe common conditions affecting the respiratory system
2.2 Explain how common medicines are used in the treatment of the respiratory conditions
Explain the reasons why common side effects may occur with medicines used to treat
2.3
respiratory conditions
 How medicines are used in the treatment of conditions of cardiovascular conditions
Task 3
You have been asked by your line manager to produce another informative CPD guidebook
for your Pharmacy Technician colleagues but this time it will be to update their knowledge
of cardiovascular conditions and medicines. The CPD guidebook is to provide training on
common cardiovascular conditions, medicines used in the treatment of cardiovascular
conditions and side effects and an inclusion of reasons why side effects may occur. The CPD
update should cover all of the areas listed below.

This guidebook should provide cover all of the guidance provided below:

 Section 1: Five conditions affecting the cardiovascular system

 Describe at least five different common conditions affecting the cardiovascular
system. The conditions described must include (a) congestive heart failure, (b)
hypertension and (c) hyperlipidaemia. Others you may consider include (d) cardiac
arrhythmias, (e) angina, (f) myocardial infarction, (g) embolism and (h) cardiac
arrest.

 Section 2: How common medicines are used in cardiovascular conditions

 Refer to the current edition of the British National Formulary (BNF) and other reliable
sources to describe at least TWO common medicines and treatments, including
agents and their actions, benefits and limitations and contraindications for your five
conditions in section one. Focus should be given towards including medicines and
their actions, side effects, benefits and limitations together with common
contraindications.
 For each medicine chosen, remember to include an explanation of why specific
common side effects may occur.

Checklist of evidence
required A CPD guidebook

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria To achieve the criteria, you must show that you are able to:
reference
3.1 Describe common conditions affecting the cardiovascular system
Explain how common medicines are used in in the treatment of the cardiovascular
3.2
conditions
Explain the reasons why common side effects may occur with medicines used to treat
3.3
cardiovascular conditions
 Supporting patient care, advising on the treatment and management of respiratory and
Task 4 cardiovascular conditions

Following on from the CPD guidebooks you created for task two and three, your manager has
requested you produce an information booklet entitled “A Pharmacy Technicians Guide to
the Treatment and Management of Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions”. The booklet
should be designed to be an information resource used by Registered Pharmacy Technicians
as an aid to provide appropriate information and advice to patients on the treatment and
management of their condition.
The structure of your information booklet is described in detail and should be carefully
followed.

 A front cover entitled “A Guide to the Treatment and Management of Respiratory and
Cardiovascular Conditions”

Chapter 1: Medicines information regarding respiratory conditions

 In reference to Task 2 of this assignment and your research into medicines used in
the treatment of respiratory conditions, explain information that Pharmacy
Technicians can provide to patients/individual about the ONE medicine you have
explained.
 You may wish to consider important counselling information such as dosage,
frequency, storage, care, non-compliance, relevant contraindications, treatment
pathways and any other appropriate information (e.g. lifestyle) take medicine with
food), blood tests, lifestyle.
 You should ensure that you explain the use of devices in airway disease, advising
individuals in techniques and the use of inhalation devices, e.g. metered dose
inhalers, breath-actuated inhalers, dry power inhalers, pacers, nebulisers, peak flow
meters and the assessment of lung function.

Chapter 2: The management of respiratory conditions

 Considering the four conditions referred to in Task 2 of this assignment, explain the
information that must be given to individual about the management of ONE
condition.
 You may wish to include aspects of treatment pathways, self-care, self-monitoring
(e.g. peak flow), signposting to information, resources and organisations, attendance
at regular health checks, understanding actions of different prescribed medicines,
changes to lifestyle.
 Remember to give reasons and examples to support the points made.

Chapter 3: Medicines information regarding cardiovascular conditions

 In reference to Task 3 of this assignment and your research into medicines used in
the treatment of cardiovascular conditions, explain information that Pharmacy
Technicians can provide to patients/individual about ONE medicine that you have
explained.
 You may wish to consider important counselling information such as dosage,
frequency, storage, care, non-compliance, relevant contraindications, treatment
pathways and any other appropriate information (e.g. taking medicine at certain
times of the day), blood tests and lifestyle advise (e.g. diet).

Chapter 4: The management of cardiovascular conditions

 Considering the five conditions referred to in Task 3 of this assignment, explain the
information that must be given to individuals about the management of ONE
cardiovascular condition.
 You may wish to include aspects of treatment pathways, self-care, self-monitoring
(e.g. blood pressure monitoring), signposting to information, resources and
organisations, attendance at regular health checks, understanding actions of different
prescribed medicines, changes to lifestyle (e.g. exercise).
 Remember to give reasons and examples to support the points made.

 References / bibliography
Checklist of
evidence required An information booklet entitled “A Guide to the Treatment and Management of
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions”.

Criteria covered by this task:

Unit/Criteria To achieve the criteria, you must show that you are able to:
reference
Explain the information that must be given to individuals about their medicines and
4.1
devices
Explain the information that must be given to individuals about the management of
4.2
their condition

Evidence checklist for the assignment

Tick box

A written report for Task 1.

A written guidebook for Task 2

A written guidebook for Task 3

An information booklet for Task 4

Sources of information

Textbooks
Bennett P, Brown M – Clinical Pharmacology,12th edition (Elsevier, 2018)
ISBN 9780702073281
Dorling Kindersley – BMA New Guide to Medicines and Drugs, 10th edition
(Dorling Kindersley, 2018) ISBN 9780241317617

Greenstein B, Greenstein A – Concise Clinical Pharmacology

(Pharmaceutical Press, 2006) ISBN 9780853695769
Harman R and Mason P (editors) – Handbook of Pharmacy Healthcare, 2nd edition (Pharmaceutical
Press, 2002) ISBN 9780853695073
McGavock H – How Drugs Work, 4th edition (CRC Press, 2015) ISBN 9781785230776
Neal M – Medical Pharmacology at a Glance, 8th edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015)
ISBN 9781118902400
Page C – Crash Course: Pharmacology, 5th edition (Elsevier, 2018)
ISBN 9780702073441
Rang H, Dale M, Ritter J, Flower R et al – Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology, 9th edition (Elsevier, 2019)
ISBN 9780702074486
Stringer J – Basic Concepts in Pharmacology: What You Need to Know for Each Drug Class, 5th edition
(McGraw-Hill, 2017) ISBN 9781259861079
Walker R, Whittlesea C – Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 6th edition
(Elsevier, 2018) ISBN 9780702070129
Wecker L – Brody’s Human Pharmacology: Mechanism-Based Therapeutics, 6th edition (Elsevier,
2018) ISBN 9780323476522
Willihnganz M, Gurevitz S, Clayton B – Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses,
18th edition (Mosby, 2019) ISBN 9780323554732

Journals
British Journal of Pharmacology (British Pharmacological Society/Wiley-Blackwell)
MIMS (Monthly Index of Medical Specialities) (Haymarket Group, published monthly)
NICE journals and databases – www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/evidence-services/journals-and-
databases
The British Medical Journal (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd)
The Pharmaceutical Journal (Pharmaceutical Press)

Websites
www.asthma.org.uk/ Asthma UK
www.bhf.org.uk/ British Heart Foundation
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document- British Thoracic Society
library/clinical-
information/asthma/btssign-asthma-
guideline-quick-reference-guide-2016/

cks.nice.org.uk/#?char=A NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries

www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/diagnosis/ NHS: Asthma
www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular- NHS: Cardiovascular Disease
disease/#
www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic- NHS: COPD
obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure/NHS NHS: Heart Failure
www.pharmaceutical- Pharmaceutical Journal article on asthma and
journal.com/learning/learning- COPD
article/knowing-the-differences-between-
copd-and-asthma-is-vital-to-good-
practice/11085597.article