drug routes

Question 1

what factors affect reaching target site?

(2 marks)

Answer 1

formulation of the drug - tabs / liquid
route of administration - oral / IV / topic

Question 2

what are the drug routes?

(6 marks)

Answer 2

enteral (involves GIT)
paraental (does not involve GIT)
topical
inhalation
(intrammary) - into cow teat
(intrauterine) - into uterus

Question 3

what are the enteral formulations types of drug?

(9 marks)

Answer 3

tablet
granules
capsules
paste/gel
solutions
suspensions
syrups
emulsion
bolus

Question 4

what the enteral formulations are?

(9 marks)

Answer 4

• tabs - sometimes enteric coating
• granules - coated
• caps - granules in gel capsule
• paste - drug in semi-solid carrier
• solutions - drug dissolved in water
• suspensions - drug suspended in liquid
• syrups - sol/sus with added sugar
• emulsions - liquid drug suspended in oil
• bolus - large tablet wrapped in material

Question 5

paraental methods of administration?

(8 marks)

Answer 5

IV
IM
SC
intracardiac
intradermal
epidural
intraperitonal
intraosseous

Question 6

advantages and disadvantages of parental drug administration?

(7 marks)

Answer 6

+
bypasses gut
does not rely on palatability
depot prep available

-
high skill required with IV
possible high frequency dosing
possible pain on injection
some routes affected by hydration status (e.g. SC)

Question 7

where are topical medications applied?

(4 marks)

Answer 7

skin - transdermal + aural
mucous - intranasal + ocular membrane

Question 8

what is inhalation medication mainly used for?

(1 mark)

Answer 8

anaesthetic agents

Question 9

what can inhalation mediciation also be used for?

(1 mark)

Answer 9

administration of glucocorticoids to cats with asthma

Question 10

name the dosing frequency abbreviations?

(4 marks)

Answer 10

1x day = S.I.D / q24h
2x day = B.I.D / q12h
3x day = T.I.D / q8h
4x day = Q.I.D / q6h

Question 11

why are some medications given with / without food?

(2 marks)

Answer 11

with = allows easy administration
without = prescence of food in gut interfers with absorption

Question 12

how to give oral tablet to dog?

(3 marks)

Answer 12

put one hand over muzzle, with finger and thumb behind canines.
open mouth with other hand + put tablet to back of mouth.
rub throat to encourage swallow.

Question 13

how to give oral tablet to cat?

(4 marks)

Answer 13

cats more likely to bite.
tilt head back = mouth opens naturally.
use finger to lower jaw.
tablet needs to drop to base of tongue.

Question 14

when giving liquid medications in food, what should be done?

(3 marks)

Answer 14

give when animal is hungry
give with appetising food
initally give with small amount of food

Question 15

how are liquid medications given in mouth?

(4 marks)

Answer 15

introduce syringe to side of mouth where top and bottom lips join
aim to get liquid to back of tongue
give small amount and let animal swallow
repeat but stop if signs of choking / coughing.

Question 16

how should ‘spot on’ products be applied?

(4 marks)

Answer 16

part fur
apply to skin - not on fur
allows drug to be absorpbed through fatty skin layer into systemic circulation
apply between shoulder blades to prevent ingestion

Question 17

how should creams be applied?

(2 marks)

Answer 17

clean area - prevents inactivating drug
wear gloves

Question 18

how are eyedrops/ eye cream applied?

(3 marks)

Answer 18

hold muzzle with one hand
tilt head upwards
rest hand holding bottle on side of dog’s face.

Question 19

how are eardrops applied?

(3 marks)

Answer 19

gently pull pinna up and out
apply then massage base of ear in circular motion
ensures drug moves down both vertical and horizonal canal

Question 20

what does paraental mean?

(1 mark)

Answer 20

administered elsewhere in body than the mouth and alimentary tract

Question 21

give examples of paraental drugs?

(8 marks)

Answer 21

SC
IM
IV
intracardiac
intraperitoneal
intrapleural
intra-articular
epidural

Question 22

how long does a SC injection take to take effect?

(1 mark)

Answer 22

roughly 30-45 minutes

Question 23

how do administer SC injection?

(7 marks)

Answer 23

1. sterile needle and syringe - draw up dose of drug
2. patient restrained
3. raise fold of skin from suitable area
4. moisten skin with spirit swab
5. insert needle under skin and drawback
6. inject drug
7. withdraw needle

Question 24

where can an IM injection be given?

(3 marks)

Answer 24

anterior quadriceps
lumbodorsal muscles
triceps

Question 25

what should be avoided when giving IM injection?

(1 mark)

Answer 25

gluteals and hamstring - RISK OF SCIATIC NERVE!!

Question 26

how long until IM drug takes effect?

(1 mark)

Answer 26

roughly 20-30 minutes.

Question 27

how is IM injection performed?

(6 marks)

Answer 27

1. sterile needle and syringe draw up dose of drug
2. patient restraint
3. moisten skin with spirit swab
4. insert needle into muscle, 90 degree, drawback
5. inject drug
6. withdraw needle

Question 28

where can IV be given?

(3 marks)

Answer 28

cephalic
jugular
saphenous

Question 29

how long for IV to take effect?

(1 mark)

Answer 29

roughly 0-2 minutes

Question 30

how is cephalic vein injection carried out?

(6 marks)

Answer 30

1. assistant restrain dog
2. clip fur over vein
3. spirit swab
4. stabilise vein and ‘raise’, drawback
5. ‘release’ and inject drug
6. withdraw and apply pressure

Question 31

where are sharps disposed?

(1 marks)

Answer 31

yellow container

Question 32

where are syringes containing meds disposed?

(1 mark)

Answer 32

rigid container, not colour specific