Dosage Forms, Abbreviations, Route of Administration

Question 1

What are the 3 major categories of dosage forms?

Answer 1

• solids
• semisolids
• liquids

Question 2

Most tablets contain some type of filler. T/F

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fillers are inert substances (no active ingredients) that bind and . . .

Answer 3

fill space or cover the tablet with a sugar coating.

Question 4

Tablets can be given in what 2 ways?

Answer 4

• sublingually

- vaginally

Question 5

Why are some tablets scored?

Answer 5

To cut the dosage in half, sometimes quarters.

Question 6

What is enteric-coated aspirin?

Answer 6

• will not upset the stomach (enteric)
• won’t break down in the stomach (small intestine)
• EC is not meant to be broken in two

Question 7

Capsules and caplets are in a . . .

Answer 7

• gelatin container
• smooth and easier to swallow than tablets
• hard or soft outer shell

Question 8

A hard outer shell is made of . . .

Answer 8

gelatin, sugar, and water

Question 9

A spansule is a capsule that can be pulled apart and

Answer 9

sprinkled on food for children

Question 10

Implants are . . .

Answer 10

• a type of capsule
• set of 6 (progestin)
• can be left in place for 5 years

Question 11

Transdermal patches . . .

Answer 11

• attached to the skin
• releases medicine into the skin over time
• eliminates stomach upset

Question 12

Lozenges are . . .

Answer 12

• meant to dissolve in the mouth (not swallowed)

- releases medicine slowly

Question 13

Liquids can be administered by all routes. T/F

Answer 13

True

Ex: enemas, eye/ear products, topical skin solutions, and syrups

Question 14

Syrups are . . .

Answer 14

• in a sugar-based solution to improve medicine taste

- thicker than water

Question 15

Elixirs are . . .

Answer 15

• medicine dissolved in water or alcohol base
• alcohol covers up the medicine taste
• same consistency as water (Dimetapp DM)

Question 16

Semisolids are usually . . .

Answer 16

topical.

Question 17

Creams are . . .

Answer 17

• base is part oil and part water
• can be used topically, vaginally, or rectally
  Ex: Hydrocortisone 1% (OTC)

Question 18

Lotions are . . .

Answer 18

• thinner than creams
• base has more water
  Ex: Jergens Lotion

Question 19

Ointments are . . .

Answer 19

• oil or petroleum-based
• can be used topically, rectally, ophthalmically
  Ex: Preparation H (OTC) Hydrocortisone 2.5% (Rx)

Question 20

Gels contain . . .

Answer 20

medication in a thick liquid.

Ex: Bullfrog Gel & Oragel (OTC)

Question 21

Pastes are . . .

Answer 21

more solid than liquid.

Ex: Zinc Oxide paste (Rx)

Question 22

Suppositories . . .

Answer 22

• rectally and vaginally
• fast-acting
• don’t upset the stomach
  Ex: Miconazole

Question 23

Name the 6 routes of administration:

Answer 23

• by mouth or oral
• sublingual tablet
• buccal tablet
• rectal
• topical
• parenteral

Question 24

The oral route of administration is . . .

Answer 24

convenient.

Question 25

To use the sublingual route of administration you . . .

Answer 25

place the tablet under the tongue (nitro) where it is very quickly absorbed.

Question 26

To use the buccal route of administration you . . .

Answer 26

place the medication between the cheek and gum, where it is released quickly.

Question 27

Regarding the rectal route of administration . . .

Answer 27

- fast-acting | - most people are not comfortable taking suppositories

Question 28

The topical route of administration . . .

Answer 28

- treats rashes | - can also be used systemically with transdermal patches (hormonal, smoking cessation)

Question 29

The parenteral route of administration involves what 3 types?

Answer 29

- IV - intravenous - IM - intramuscular - subq - subcutaneous - IV is the most common.

Question 30

Parenteral means . . .

Answer 30

"outside of intestine" - not given by mouth. | Ex: insulin

Question 31

What is a disadvantage for parenterals?

Answer 31

Increased risk of infection

Question 32

Are inhalants very effective?

Answer 32

Yes, if used properly and shaken before use.

Question 33

Some doctors use eye solutions to treat ear conditions does that mean that ear solutions can be used to treat eye conditions?

Answer 33

No. Because the eye is sterile, ear solutions cannot be used to treat eye conditions.

Question 34

p.o.

Answer 34

by mouth (per os)

Question 35

IV

Answer 35

intravenous

Question 36

IM

Answer 36

intramuscular

Question 37

o.s.

Answer 37

left eye

Question 38

o.d.

Answer 38

right eye

Question 39

o.u.

Answer 39

each eye

Question 40

a.s.

Answer 40

left ear

Question 41

a.d.

Answer 41

right ear

Question 42

a.u.

Answer 42

each ear

Question 43

p.r.n.

Answer 43

when necessary/as needed

Question 44

b.i.d.

Answer 44

twice daily

Question 45

t.i.d.

Answer 45

three times daily

Question 46

q.i.d.

Answer 46

four times daily

Question 47

h.s.

Answer 47

at bedtime (hour of sleep)

Question 48

q.

Answer 48

every

Question 49

q.o.d.

Answer 49

every other day

Question 50

mg

Answer 50

milligrams

Question 51

mcg

Answer 51

micrograms (funny backwards u)

Question 52

n.p.o.

Answer 52

nothing by mouth (nothing per os)

Question 53

o.d.

Answer 53

once daily ---- usually q.d. every day

Question 54

mEq

Answer 54

milliequivalent