drug administeration and calculations Flashcards
(44 cards)
name the types of oral medicines that are avaliable
- tablet (orodispersible, effervescent, dispersible)
- capsules
- elixirs & syrups
- emulsions
- linctus
name two oral routed other than swallowing
- sublingual
- buccal
what are the pros to using tablets?
- convient
- accurate dose
- formulation can be adjusted (enteric-coating / sustained release)
what are the cautions associated with tablets?
- must not be bitten / chewed
- must not be broken to divide dose
- ensure patient takes dose
- fluid drug taken with (eg.milk)
what are capsules? and what are they useful for?
- oval-shaped and coated with hard gelatin coat
- useful for bitter drugs (eg.antibiotics)
what are the drawbacks and cautions assicated with capsules?
- can be large as powder not compacted
- same cautons as tablets
what is meant by the sublingual route and why would this route be used?
- drug absorbed through mucosa under tongue → rapid absorption
- aviods 1st pass metabolism
what forms can sublingual medication take?
- sprays
- tablets
what is meant by the buccal route and why would this route be used?
- usually tablet placed between lip & gum or cheek & gum
- rapidly absorbed
when would the buccal route be useful, give an example and what are the drawbacks?
- useful for antiemetics (eg. prochlorperazine and long lasting GTN)
- increases dental cavities
what is a compound medicine and how would this be indicated?
- 2 or more medicines in the same tablet
- indicated by ‘co’
how would compound drugs be calculated?
- no alternative calculation just give number of tablets prescribed
what are elixirs and syrups?
liquid medications which are flavoured and sweetened (caution with diabetic patients / alcohol dependent patient - elixir has alcohol base)
what is an emulsion?
a liquid medication which is a mxture of 2 liquids - one dispersed throughout the other
what cautions are associated with emulsions?
- must be shaken weel before use - danger of liquids seperating
- potential inaccuracy
give an example of an emulsion
- oral nutritional supplements
what is a linctus?
liquid medication - sweet syrupy preparations
what might be given as a linctus and what are the cautions?
- cough medicine
- bottle gets sticky - dosage difficult to measure
what are the general points which should be considered when administering liquid medication?
- shake / agitate before dispensing
- pour liquid away from label
- measure at eye level
- dose <5ml use syringe
- always use syringe for infants / children
what information about the drug should be found on the label?
- clear, legible, comprehensive & in English
- name of product
- formulation (tablet/capsule/suppository)
- strength (eg. 5mg/150ml)
- quantity (eg. 48 tablets)
- info about excipients
- storage info
- method & route of admin
- expiry date
- batch ref number
- special warnings
- instructions for self use
- special precautions for disposal
- marketing authorisation
how should drugs be stored?
- original packaging
- locked cupboard / trolley / patient bedside
- locked refridgerator (2-8°c)
- room temp away from direct sunlight
explain the general principles of drug administration regarding documentation
- prescribing & recording sheet: patient bedside or document trolley
explain the general principles of the nurse/patient interaction regarding drug administration
- identification of patient
- explaination given to patient
- try to avoid interuptions
explain the general principles regarding the technique of drug administration
- wash hands
- patient in upright position (ideally)
- patient takes meds themselves (if poss.)
- witness med’s being taken
- record on fluid balance sheet (if nec.)
- retain any rejected med’s
