Medication Administration Flashcards
What oral medications have the slowest absorption methods?
- capsules/caplets
- elixirs
- emulsions
- gels
- lozenges
- solutions
- suspensions
- syrups
- tablets
- tinctures
What are examples of topical medications?
- creams
- foams
- liniments
- ointments
- patches
- powders
- sprays
- lotions
What are examples of inhalation medications?
- aerosols
- dry powder
- mist
- steam
What are examples of otic, ophthalmic, or nasal medications?
- drops
- sprays
What are examples of vaginal/rectal medications?
- creams
- foams
- gels
- ointments
- suppositories
What are examples of injectable medications?
- liquids
- powders for reconstitution
What is the fastest absorption method for medications?
intradermal
How should transdermal patches be used?
- don’t use the same application sites
- remove the old patch 30 minutes after applying a new one
- chest, back, abdomen, hip
What is buccal?
against the cheek
What is sublingual?
under the tongue
What is enteral drug administration?
meds through the GI tract
What is the parenteral drug administration?
outside the GI tract
What is intramuscular injection?
into the muscle
What is subcutaneous injection?
under the dermis (fatty tissue)
What is intradermal injection?
into the dermis
What is intravenous injectin?
into the veins
Which injection route is the fastest onset of action?
intravenous
How many times should we check medication before giving it?
three times minimum
- taken away from storage container
- when prepared
- before administration
What happens when medication is refused?
discard properly and document refusal
What are some general rules for drug administration?
- calculate dosage
- don’t leave prepared drug unattended
- only administer the drug you prepared
- physician should be in the office
- have the patient stay to watch for allergic reactions
What are the basic rights of medication administration?
- right patient
- right drug
- right dose
- right route
- right time
- right documentation
What are additional rights of medication administration?
- right reason
- right to know
- right to refuse
- right technique
How are gauge numbers and needle length related?
larger the number, smaller the needle
Why does we use different lengths of needles?
- type of injection
- patient size
- amount of fatty tissue
- injection site
What is in a vial for parenteral drug?
- liquid
- powder (reconstituted)
- single or multiple doses
What are other packaging for parenteral drugs besides vial?
ampules
- break at the neck
- requires filtered needle
cartridge
- pre-measured
What is the angle of injection for intramuscular?
90 degrees
What is the angle of injection for subcutaneous?
45 degrees
What is the angle of injection for intravenous?
25 degrees
What is the angle of injection for intradermal?
10 to 15 degrees
What does intramuscular go to?
muscles
What does subcutaneous go to?
subcutaneous tissue (below dermis)
Where does intravenous go to?
in the veins
Where does intradermal go to?
in between dermis and epidermis
What is intradermal injection for?
- PPD or Mantoux test (tuberculin screening)
- allergy testing
What is the needle size for intradermal injection?
27G or 28G
3/8inch long
What is the typical medication amount given for intradermal injection?
0.01 to 0.05 mL
What are the common sites of intradermal injection?
- anterior forearm
- mid-back areas
What should we advise patients to do for intradermal injections?
- don’t scratch
- don’t use lotions or perfumes
What are subcutaneous injections for?
- allergy injections
- insulin
- immunizations
What is the needle size of subcutaneous injection?
- 1/2 to 5/8 inch length
- 25G to 26G
Where are common sites of injection of subcutaneous injection?
- upper and outer part of the arm
- abdominal area
- upper thigh
What are intramuscular injections for?
- most medications
- pain medication
- immunization
What is the needle size of intramuscular injections?
1-3 inch length
- 20G to 23G
Where are the common injection sites for intramuscular?
- deltoid
- ventrogluteal
- vastus lateralis
- forsogluteal
What should we document for medications?
- route
- site
- medication
- manufacturer
- dose
- expiration date of medication
- lot number of medication
- adverse effects
