Medication Flashcards
What are three routes of administering medication?
Enteral
Parenteral
Topical
Define the term ‘enteral’.
Orally, through the digestive system
Define the term ‘parenteral’.
Injectable, not through the digestive system
Define the term ‘topical’.
Applied directly where it needs to be
What are the advantages of applying medication enterally?
Less painful
Can give it by food (which means anyone can do it)
Quick and easy
Less invasive for the animal
What are the disadvantages of applying medication enterally?
Can be difficult to administer
Won’t be absorbed as quickly
Can be unreliable
Vomiting causes the medication to be unreliable
What are the advantages of applying medication topically?
Simple and easy
What are the disadvantages of applying medication topically?
Limited applications
Animal can lick it off
Short expiry date
What are the three ways to administer medication parentally?
Intravenous
Intramuscular
Subcutaneous
Define the term ‘intravenous’.
Injected into a vein
Define the term ‘intramuscular’.
Injected into a muscle
Define the term ‘subcutaneous’.
Under the skin
What are the advantages of applying medication intravenously?
Fastest distribution
What are the disadvantages of applying medication intravenously?
Requires a sterile environment
Irritant if accidentally injected around the vein (blowing)
Requires special restraint technique
Can be difficult with difficult animals
What are the advantages of applying medication intramuscularly?
Drug is absorbed very quickly
Easier than intravenous injection
Large quantities can be given this way
