Medication Administration Flashcards
Where should oral medication be administered?
Insert in space between front and back teeth and direct syringe backwards then wipe tip/edge of syringe on edge of mouth.
What is a disadvantage to mixing drugs directly with feed?
Powder settles to bottom and is not eaten.
What is an advantage to mixing drugs directly in feed?
May be good for a horse that is more difficult to medicate.
Are balling guns generally used for horses?
No
What is the most recommended needle size for IV injections in horses?
18 G 1 1/2” needle
A needle size no less than what can be used for horses, foals in particular?
19 G 1 1/2”
What always needs to be done with the needle in reference to the hub?
Always seed needle to the hub.
What are 2 methods of needle insertion that can be used for IV injections?
- Needle pointed toward head
- Needle pointed toward heart
18 G needles generally have what color hub?
But they may sometimes have what color hub?
- Pink
- Green
What type of syringe tip is more commonly used in large animals?
Luer slip tip
What type of syringe tip is rarely used in large animals?
Luer lock tip
What is a type of syringe tip that is good for IV/jugular injections by helping the syringe to stay parallel to the neck?
Eccentric Luer slip tip
In what area of the neck should you aim for an IV jugular injection in the horse?
Why?
- Middle third of the neck
- Jugular vein is further away from the carotid artery
What muscle continues to further separate the jugular vein from the common carotid artery as you move up the neck toward the head?
Omohyoideus muscle
Be careful not to touch what with your fingers when giving an IV injection?
Needle
At what angle should the needle be at when entering the skin for an IV injection into the jugular vein?
30-40 degrees
How should the position of the needle be changed once under the skin for an IV injection into the jugular vein?
Needle should go more parallel to the jugular vein.
What are 4 examples of commonly used pour in mixers?
Which one is the most common?
- Molasses, corn syrup, apple sauce, peanut butter
- Molasses
Why should you hold the syringe by leaning fingers on the neck of the horse to stabilize them?
Hand will move with the horse.
What needs to be done once the syringe is attached?
Aspirate to be sure still within vein.
If you need to hold off the vessel to get blood back then what needs to be done for the injection?
Leave vein distended to inject.
How should a jugular IV injection be given?
Inject full amount rapidly unless specifically dictated by drug.
Should the needle and syringe be pulled out together from a jugular IV injection?
Yes
How long should the jugular vein be held off after an IV infection?
One minute
What is a major concern with jugular IV injections?
What can be a result of this?
- Inadvertent intra-carotid administration
- Seizure
What is the recommended needle size for equine IM injections?
Go no smaller than what size?
- 18-19 G 1 1/2” needles
- 21 G 1 1/2” needle
What are 2 methods that can be used for inserting the needle for an IM injection?
- Tap near area first
- Pinch skin in area
Is it ok to leave the needle attached to the syringe for neck IM injections?
Yes
What are the 3 landmarks for IM neck injections in a horse?
- Ventral to ligamentum nuchae
- Dorsal to lateral processes of cervical vertebrae
- Leading edge of shoulder
What should be avoided when giving IM injections into the neck of a horse?
Avoid fascial planes
What are the 3 landmarks for an IM injection into the semi-tendinosus/membranosus muscles in a horse?
- One hand’s width below tuber ischia
- One hand’s width above start of gastrocnemius tendon
- Outside thigh
In general, is the needle placed without the syringe for an IM injection in a horse?
Yes
Always do what before giving an IM injection?
Aspirate to check for blood.
When do you attach the syringe for an IM injection?
Once the needle has been placed and seeded and the horse quiets down.
If when aspirating for an IM injection blood is seen, what should be done?
Redirect needle
Where should the needle and syringe be held?
At hub area to stabilize.
How should the IM injection be given in the horse?
Inject full amount quite rapidly unless specifically dictate by drug.
Should the needle and syringe be pulled out together after an IM injection?
Yes
How long should the injection site be held off after an IM injection?
One minute
What is the volume limit for a neck IM injection in the horse?
10-15 cc maximum per site
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?
- 15-20 cc per IM site
- 2 sites in same limb at one time
