Exam 4- Parenterals I Flashcards
Define Parenteral
Sterile preparation of drugs for injection through one or more layers of the skin or mucous membrane
USP classification of a parenteral:
- solutions
- suspensions
- emulsions
- dry solids or liquid concentrations
What are the parenteral routes of administration
- intravascular
- into the vein/artery
- extravascular
- into muscle/tissue
Volume that can be injected into loose subcutaneous tissue
2mL or less (small volumes)
What are the sites of subcutaneous injection
forearm, upper arm, thigh, etc
Sites of intradermal injection
corium of skin (vascular layer)
Sites: anterior forearm
Volume used for intradermal injection
~0.1 mL (VERY small volume)
Sites of intramuscular injection
- deltoids
- gluteus maximus
- vastus lateralis
How absorption from intramuscular injections can be fastened:
- Temperature or massage
- co-administration of vasodilators
- co-administration of hyaluronidase that loosens the connective tissue
Intravenous- Bolus
- Single, 1-2 mL
- most commonly used in emergency
- toxicity must be carefully monitored
- irritation might occur
Intravenous- Intermittent Infusion
- drug is diluted in a parenteral fluid
- infused, slow
- safe form of drug administration
- less convenient
- less consistent with plasma levels
Intravenous- Continuous Infusion
- drug is added to large volume (~1000 mL)
- slow and continuous administration
- excellent control on plasma drug profile
Disadvantages of continuous infusion
- needs greater monitoring
- requires admix of poorly soluble drugs
- only for fluid restricted patients
- contains unstable drugs
Advantages of intravascular injections and infusions
- rapid action
- optimum blood levels can be achieved
- life-saving in emergency
Disadvantages of intravascular injections and infusions
- overdosing
- once administered, can’t be retrieved
