Medical Administration Flashcards
FDA’s control over medication
Ensures that all medications on the market undergo vigorous testing before they are sold to the public
Define Chemical Name
Exact description of the medication’s composition and molecular structure
Define Generic Name
The adopted name given to the drug listed in official publication
Define Trade Name (Brand Name)
Name in which a manufacturer markets a medication
What are the three characteristics of Medication Classification
- The effect of the medication.
- Symptoms the medication relieves
- Medication’s desired effect
What does the form of medication determine?
The route of administration
What are the five factors that influence Drug Absorption
- Route of administration
- Ability of the medication to dissolve
- Blood flow to the site of administration
- Body Surface Area
- Lipid solubility of a medication
What is the most rapid form of medication absorption?
Intravenous
What does the ability of an oral medication to dissolve depend on?
it’s form of preparation
How does Body Surface Area relate to medication absorption?
The larger the surface area, the faster the medication is absorbed
How does lipid solubility relate to medication absorption?
Cell membranes have a lipid layer and allow lipid-soluble medications to cross over quickly
What two characteristics of medication affect the rate and extent in which medication is distributed?
- Physical properties
2. Chemical properties
What three factors affect the rate and extent of medication distribution in the body?
- Circulation
- Membrane Permeability
- Protein binding
Two forms of Parenteral Medication
- Solution
2. Powder
What is the primary organ for dug excretion?
Kidneys
What happens if renal function declines in regrades to medication excretion?
A patient would become at risk for medication toxicity
Define Therapeutic Effects
The expected or predicted physiological response or responses a medication causes
Define Side Effects
Predictable and often unavoidable secondary effects produced at a usual therapeutic dose
Define Adverse Effects
Unintended, undesirable, and often unpredictable severe response to medication
Define Toxic Effects
Developed after prolonged intake of a medication or when a medication accumulates in the blood stream because of impaired metabolism or excretion
Define Idiosyncratic Reactions
An unpredictable effect in which a patient overreacts or underreacts to a medication.
Define Allergic Reactions
Unpredictable responses to a medication. The medication or chemical acts as an antigen, triggering the release of the body’s antibodies
Define Medication Allergy
A severe or mild reaction where symptoms vary, depending on the individual and the medication
Define Anaphylactic Reaction
Severe or life threatening reaction that is characterized by sudden constriction of bronchiolar muscles
Define Medication Interaction
Altering the way another medication is absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from the body
Define Synergistic Effect
Combined effect of two medications is greater than the effect if the medications were given separate
Define Serum Concentration
Amount of a drug compound in the body’s circulation
Define Peak Concentration
Highest serum concentration of the medication
Define Intravenous Infusion
Process of injected fluid or medication into the veins
Define Trough Concentration
minimum blood concentration or medication is reached just before the next scheduled dose
Define Onset Action
Time it takes after a medication is administered for it to produce a response
Define Peak Action
Medication reaches its highest effect
What is a Serum Half-Life
Time it takes for excretion processes to lower the serum medication concentration by half
Three types of Oral Routes
- Swallowed
- Sublingual Administration
- Buccal Administration
Define Sublingual
Under the tongue
Define Buccal
against the cheek
Define Parenteral Administration
Involves injecting a medication into body tissues
Four major sites for Parenteral Injections
- Intradermal (ID)
- Subcutaneous (Sub-Q)
- Intramuscular (IM)
- Intravenous (IV)
Where is an ID injection administered?
Into the dermis
Where is a Sub-Q injection administered?
Into the tissue just below the dermis of the skin
Where is an IM injection administered?
into the muscle
Where is an IV injection administered?
into the veins
Define Intrathecal
Into the subarachnoid space or one of the ventricles of the brain
Define Intraossesous
Into the bone marrow
Define Intraperitoneal
Into the peritoneal cavity
Define Intralpleural
Into the pleural space
Define intraarterial
Into the arteries
Define Intracardiac
Into the cardiac tissue
Define Intraarticular
Into the joint
What are Systemic Effects?
Absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated to various parts of the body
What are Local Effects?
Act mainly at the site of application
Define Instillation
Introduction of a lipid drop by drop
Two common measurements used in medication therapy
- Metric System
2. Household Measurements
Define Verbal Order
Nurse receives the order and reads it back to prescriber for confirmation and accuracy
Define PRN Orders
As needed
Define Standing Order
administered until dosage is changed or another is prescribed
Define Single Order
Medication only given once
Define Now Order
Patient needs a medication quickly, but not right away
Define STAT order
Immediately
Identify the four process for medication reconciliation
- Verify
- Clarify
- Reconcile
- Transmit
6 Rights of Medication Administration
- Right Medication
- Right Dose
- Right Patient
- Right Route
- Right Time
- Right Documentation
Two most common form of nasal instillation
- Sprays
2. Drops
Four Principles for administering eye drops
- Avoid cornea
- Avoid eyelid touching the dropper
- Use only on infected eye
- Never let a patient use another patient’s eyedrops
Failure to instil ear drops at room temperature causes?
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
Vaginal Medications are available as?
- Suppositories
- Foam
- Jellies
- Creams
How do you pull the auricle of the ear when administering ear drops?
Pull auricle of ear upwards and outward
Rectal suppositories are used for?
- defecation
2. Reduce nausea
Three types of inhalation inhalers
- Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
- Breath-actuated metered-dose inhalers (BAIs)
- Dry Powdered inhalers (DPIs)
Identify the two factors that must be considered when selecting a needle for an injection
- The size and weight of the patient (type)
2. The viscosity of the fluid to be injected or infused
Define Ampule
Small sealed glass container that holds a single-dose or parenteral solution
Define Vial
A single-dose or multi-dose container with a rubber seal at the top
Three principles to follow when mixing medications from two vials
- Do not contaminate one medication with another
- Ensure the final dose is accurate
- Maintain aseptic technique
What angles should be utilized with Sub-Q injections?
1) 45-degree angle if you can grasp 1 inch of tissue
2) 90-degree angle if you grasp 2 inches of tissue
What length needle are used with Sub-Q injections?
Length: 5/8th inch for 45-degree
Length: 1/2 inch for 90-degree
What angle of insertion for an IM injection?
90-degree angle
What size needles are used for IM injections?
Length: 1/2 in (thin adults) - 3 in (obese adults)
Maximum volume of IM injection for well-developed adults?
3 mL
Maximum volume of IM injection for older children, older adults, and thin adults?
2mL
Maximum volume of IM injection for small children and older infants?
1mL
Three sites for IM injections
- Vastus Lateralis
- Ventrogluteal
- Deltoid
Explain the rational for the z-track method in IM injections
- minimizes local skin irritation by sealing the medication in muscle tissue
- Less discomfort and decreases the occurrence of lesions at injection site
