Drug Administration

Question 1

How quickly can IO and IV medication act on the body?

Answer 1

Within 30-60 seconds.

Question 2

What is the slowest route of drug administration? How long does it take to act on the body?

Answer 2

Topical medications can take hours to have an effect.

Question 3

Which is quicker to act on the body: medication administered sublingually or medication administered orally?

Answer 3

Sublingual (SL) can have an effect within 3-5 minutes while oral (PO) medication can take anywhere between 30-90 minutes.

Question 4

What are the 6 “Rights” of medication administration to a patient? What extra fact must we take into consideration?

Answer 4

1. Right route
2. Right dose
3. Right patient
4. Right time
5. Right medication
6. Right documentation
   + Check the expiry date!

Question 5

You have a trauma patient who is experiencing shock. You are indicated to begin IV saline based on the Pts low BP. What size(s) of IV catheter should you consider for this purpose?

Answer 5

No smaller than 18 gauge.

Question 6

You have a trauma patient who is experiencing shock. During your hospital notification they ask you to insert an additional IV catheter after the one you’ve already been using for IV saline. Why? What size of IV catheter should you use?

Answer 6

They likely want to give whole blood. In this case, you should not use an IV catheter smaller than 18 gauge, with 16 gauge being preferred.

Question 7

Your patient is complaining of nausea and you insert an IV catheter to begin administering dimenhydranate (Gravol). What size of IV catheter would be appropriate for this Pt.

Answer 7

Smaller is likely better in this scenario. You could use a 20 gauge catheter or an even smaller one.