Drug Routes

Question 1

What are routes of administration?

Answer 1

Intraosseous
Intravenous
Inhalation
Sublingual
IM
Sub Q
Rectal
Oral
Buccal
Topical

Question 2

How long do IV drugs take to act?

Answer 2

30-60 seconds

Question 3

How long do inhaled drugs take to act?

Answer 3

2-3 minutes

Question 4

How long do sublingual drugs take to act?

Answer 4

3-5 minutes

Question 5

How long do IM drugs take to act?

Answer 5

10-20 minutes

Question 6

How long do sub q drugs take to act?

Answer 6

15-30 minutes

Question 7

How long do oral drugs take to act?

Answer 7

30-90 minutes

Question 8

What are the sites for sub q administrations?

Answer 8

We prefer:
* Upper arms
* Anterior thighs
Others may use:
* Abdomen

Question 9

How much volume can be given SC?

Answer 9

1 ml or less.

Question 10

What are the sites for IM injection?

Answer 10

We prefer:
* Vastus lateralis muscle (lateral thigh)
* Gluteal area (Buttock)
* Deltoid muscle
Others may use:
* Rectus femoris muscle

Question 11

What are enteral drugs?

Answer 11

Any drugs that enter the body via the Gastrointestinal tract

Question 12

What are parenteral drugs?

Answer 12

Drugs by any route other than the gastrointestinal tract.
Absorbed into the central circulation more quickly and at a more predictable rate

Question 13

For a single dose from a vial, should you draw up the exact amount you will need or the entirety of the vial?

Answer 13

Draw up the entirety of the vial, waste the uneeded drug into the sharps.

Question 14

For multiple doses from vials, should you draw up the whole vial at once?

Answer 14

No, draw up the amount needed for each dose instead of opening a new vial each time.

Question 15

What is the Z-Track method?

Answer 15

For IM.
The method of moving the skin slightly, injecting the mediation, then removing the needle. This prevents any of the medication from leaking out.

Question 16

What is aspiration (IM)?

Answer 16

The action of pulling back on the plunger prior to injecting the medication to ensure the needle is in the muscle and not a blood vessel. If blood is aspirated, remove the needle and start the procedure over with all new equipment.

Question 17

What is the minimum amount of fluid needed to nebulize?

Answer 17

2.5mls

Question 18

What O2 setting is needed to achieve a mist when nebulizing?

Answer 18

6-8 lpm

Question 19

What is the max vol/nare for IN med admin?

Answer 19

1 ml per nare.

Question 20

What length needle is used for SC injections?

Answer 20

5/8”

Question 21

How is the needle held for a SC injection?

Answer 21

At a 45 degree angle, with the bevel facing up.