Administering meds s1 Flashcards
what are the three factors to consider when administering a drug?
- Patient factors
- Condition factors
- Medicine factors
what are the possible routes for administering drugs
oral parenteral rectal topical opthalmic inhalation nasal
definition of : drug medicine pharmacology therapeutics
- A drug- the chemical substance that alters the normal physiological function
- The medicine- the means of which the drug is delivered to the site of action in the body
- Pharmacology- scientific study of drugs and their effects
- Therapeutics- treatment of diseases/ art of healing
what is the meaning of condition factors
- Systematic or local effect?
- Speed of action?
- Duration of action?
what is the meaning of patient factors
- Patient status- can they co-operate, are they unconscious
- Convenience- does the meds fit in with their lifestyle, are they able to administer or take the meds themselves. Do they need help from a professional?
what is the meaning of medicine factors
bioavailability
duration of action
accuracy of dose
adverse effects
describe the different types of tablets and casules
Tablets:
- Enteric coated (E/C)- they have a special coating which is stable to acidic conditions but breaks down in alkali conditions. It is used to protect drugs that are unstable in acid or to protect areas such as the stomach. E.g. it is able to pass through the stomach but is broken down in the intestine where the pH is higher.
- Buccal- not swallowed but placed in the buccal cavity in the mouth. There is a good blood supply so there is a fast onset of action.
- Sublingual (SL)- not swallowed but placed under the tongue. Good blood supply so the onset of action is faster.
- Chewable- tablet breaks down with the saliva.
- Effervescent tablets- formulated with carbonate. They are dissolved in water and releases co2. The solution is easier for patients to swallow.
Capsules:
- Soft gelatine- soft coating and are often liquid filled. These are not suitable for vegetarians
- Hard gelatine- consist of two halves placed together. Contain powder or granules. Possible for the granules to be coated with modified release. These are not suitable for vegetarians.
describe the types of powders and liquids in relation to oral administration
Powders:
- Drugs can be mixed with a bulking agent and often as single doses. These are used less often nowadays.
Liquids:
- Syrup- a solution with a drug, flavours and sweeteners
- Linctus- a viscous syrup taken for coughs and colds.
- Emulsion- consist of very fine droplets of oil and stabilised with an emulsifying agent which contains flavourings.
- Suspensions- contain fine particles of insoluble solids suspended in an aqueous solution. Contains colourings and flavourings
what are the advantages and disadvantages of administering drugs through a parenteral route
Advantages of parenteral route:
- Drugs can be administered if the patient cannot take it by mouth.
- Drugs that are poorly absorbed or inactive orally can be administered.
Disadvantages of parenteral administration:
- Usually requires a trained professional, which can be inconvenient and expensive
- Injections can be painful
- Drug effects are hard to reverse e.g. overdose
- Inconvenient if frequent dosages are needed
- Risk of infection.
what is I/V administration and its effects
I/V route- are quick as the drug goes straight into the blood. They can be either:
- Bolus injection- injected into a vain in one go. Has a rapid effect
- Infusion – given through a cannula into a vein over time. These can be continuous or intermittent. This can be useful if the drug has a short half life.
what is I/M administration and its effects
I/M- not as quick as they need to pass through the muscle before the blood stream. This can be an advantage as it can be used to prolong the action of the meds. Sometimes the drug can stay in the muscle for weeks or months and be slowly released into the blood. This only needs to be given every few months.
what is S/C administration and its effects
S/C- not as quick as it has to diffuse into the capillaries and then the blood stream. Patients can be trained to give themselves this injection.
what type of rectal drugs are available and why might they be useful
- Useful for when oral meds are not convenient e.g. due to nausea
- It is also suitable when venous access is difficult such as severe dehydration.
- Solid formulations are called suppositories and liquid formulations are called enemas
- Suppositories are either waxy to melt at body temp or glycerogelatin and designed to disperse in rectal secretions.
what types of topical administration is available
- Formulated for both local and systemic effect o Local effects o Skin surface e.g. sunscreens o Epidermis e.g. dandruff o Dermis e.g. anti- inflammatory o Systemic o Transdermal
what effect does transdermal preparations have and whats an advantage of using this?
- Transdermal preparations are sued exclusively for the production of a systemic effect, usually from a patch. The drug is either in the adhesive or in a reservoir in the patch.
- Why use transdermal delivery? – avoids 1st pass metabolism, continuous drug delivery, long lasting, reduces side effects by avoiding peaks and troughs and can improve adherence.
