Medication Administration

Question 1

Where should oral medication be administered?

Answer 1

Insert in space between front and back teeth and direct syringe backwards then wipe tip/edge of syringe on edge of mouth.

Question 2

What is a disadvantage to mixing drugs directly with feed?

Answer 2

Powder settles to bottom and is not eaten.

Question 3

What is an advantage to mixing drugs directly in feed?

Answer 3

May be good for a horse that is more difficult to medicate.

Question 4

Are balling guns generally used for horses?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

What is the most recommended needle size for IV injections in horses?

Answer 5

18 G 1 1/2” needle

Question 6

A needle size no less than what can be used for horses, foals in particular?

Answer 6

19 G 1 1/2”

Question 7

What always needs to be done with the needle in reference to the hub?

Answer 7

Always seed needle to the hub.

Question 8

What are 2 methods of needle insertion that can be used for IV injections?

Answer 8

• Needle pointed toward head

- Needle pointed toward heart

Question 9

18 G needles generally have what color hub?

But they may sometimes have what color hub?

Answer 9

• Pink

- Green

Question 10

What type of syringe tip is more commonly used in large animals?

Answer 10

Luer slip tip

Question 11

What type of syringe tip is rarely used in large animals?

Answer 11

Luer lock tip

Question 12

What is a type of syringe tip that is good for IV/jugular injections by helping the syringe to stay parallel to the neck?

Answer 12

Eccentric Luer slip tip

Question 13

In what area of the neck should you aim for an IV jugular injection in the horse?
Why?

Answer 13

• Middle third of the neck

- Jugular vein is further away from the carotid artery

Question 14

What muscle continues to further separate the jugular vein from the common carotid artery as you move up the neck toward the head?

Answer 14

Omohyoideus muscle

Question 15

Be careful not to touch what with your fingers when giving an IV injection?

Answer 15

Needle

Question 16

At what angle should the needle be at when entering the skin for an IV injection into the jugular vein?

Answer 16

30-40 degrees

Question 17

How should the position of the needle be changed once under the skin for an IV injection into the jugular vein?

Answer 17

Needle should go more parallel to the jugular vein.

Question 18

What are 4 examples of commonly used pour in mixers?

Which one is the most common?

Answer 18

• Molasses, corn syrup, apple sauce, peanut butter

- Molasses

Question 19

Why should you hold the syringe by leaning fingers on the neck of the horse to stabilize them?

Answer 19

Hand will move with the horse.

Question 20

What needs to be done once the syringe is attached?

Answer 20

Aspirate to be sure still within vein.

Question 21

If you need to hold off the vessel to get blood back then what needs to be done for the injection?

Answer 21

Leave vein distended to inject.

Question 22

How should a jugular IV injection be given?

Answer 22

Inject full amount rapidly unless specifically dictated by drug.

Question 23

Should the needle and syringe be pulled out together from a jugular IV injection?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

How long should the jugular vein be held off after an IV infection?

Answer 24

One minute

Question 25

What is a major concern with jugular IV injections?

What can be a result of this?

Answer 25

• Inadvertent intra-carotid administration

- Seizure

Question 26

What is the recommended needle size for equine IM injections?
Go no smaller than what size?

Answer 26

• 18-19 G 1 1/2” needles

- 21 G 1 1/2” needle

Question 27

What are 2 methods that can be used for inserting the needle for an IM injection?

Answer 27

• Tap near area first

- Pinch skin in area

Question 28

Is it ok to leave the needle attached to the syringe for neck IM injections?

Answer 28

Yes

Question 29

What are the 3 landmarks for IM neck injections in a horse?

Answer 29

• Ventral to ligamentum nuchae
• Dorsal to lateral processes of cervical vertebrae
• Leading edge of shoulder

Question 30

What should be avoided when giving IM injections into the neck of a horse?

Answer 30

Avoid fascial planes

Question 31

What are the 3 landmarks for an IM injection into the semi-tendinosus/membranosus muscles in a horse?

Answer 31

• One hand’s width below tuber ischia
• One hand’s width above start of gastrocnemius tendon
• Outside thigh

Question 32

In general, is the needle placed without the syringe for an IM injection in a horse?

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Always do what before giving an IM injection?

Answer 33

Aspirate to check for blood.

Question 34

When do you attach the syringe for an IM injection?

Answer 34

Once the needle has been placed and seeded and the horse quiets down.

Question 35

If when aspirating for an IM injection blood is seen, what should be done?

Answer 35

Redirect needle

Question 36

Where should the needle and syringe be held?

Answer 36

At hub area to stabilize.

Question 37

How should the IM injection be given in the horse?

Answer 37

Inject full amount quite rapidly unless specifically dictate by drug.

Question 38

Should the needle and syringe be pulled out together after an IM injection?

Answer 38

Yes

Question 39

How long should the injection site be held off after an IM injection?

Answer 39

One minute

Question 40

What is the volume limit for a neck IM injection in the horse?

Answer 40

10-15 cc maximum per site

Question 41

What is the maximum volume of an IM injection into the semitendinosus/membranosus of a horse?
How many IM injections can be given in a single hind limb at the same time?

Answer 41

• 15-20 cc per IM site

- 2 sites in same limb at one time