Medication Administration and Routes Flashcards
what medication routes are considered enteral?
oral, sublingual/buccal, rectal/suppository
what medication routes are considered topical?
otic, ophthalmic, transdermal
what types of medication are done through inhalation?
vaporization, gas inhalation, nebulization, intranasal
what type of medication is considered parenteral?
injections
what are some factors that decide what route should be used for a medication?
patient’s condition/temperament, type of medication, urgency, cost, ease of administration, desired effects (systemic or local)
enteral administration
any drugs that are absorbed by the GI tract
nasogastric
type of gastric intubation where tube runs through nose to stomach
orogastric
type of gastric intubation where tube inserted runs through mouth to stomach
when is rectal administration a good option?
vomiting patients (can’t take oral medicine), giving anti-seizure meds when other routes are exhausted, enemas
when giving meds rectally how far in should you administer the meds?
at least 5 cm into rectum
when are buccal and sublingual routes usually used?
buccal: some vaccinations (like Bordetella)
sublingual: immunotherapy
how do you administer meds aurally?
clean debris from ear first, then make contact with epithelium and administer
what are some important things to know when giving a med opthalimcally?
eye drops are one patient use only, never touch bottle to eye or eyelid, keep drug warm or at room temp, if using an ointment with medication drop solution in eye first and after 3-5 mins administer ointment
what are important things to know when giving a med transdermally?
wear gloves or use wax paper so the drug won’t absorb into your skin, apply to a spot with little hair (pinna, groin, shave ventrum), after applying cover with a bandage and use a cage card to say what med was administered and where and how long to wait before it’s ok to touch
what effect does the transdermal route have?
systemic and local effect
how do you apply a patch to an animal?
shave area, place where animal can’t reach (or use an E-collar), apply and press down with palm for 1 min
what are important things to be aware of when applying a patch?
don’t touch adhesive side, patches are very concentrated, don’t use any external heat sources (will increase absorption of medicine)
what are some examples of patch medicines?
Fentanyl patch and ELMA cream
when is vaporization used for inhalation drugs?
sinus and upper airway aborption
when is nebulization used for inhalation drugs?
absorption deeper in the lungs
what are some examples of medicines that can be administered IN?
vaccinations (like Bordetella, FIP, FVRCP), Diazepam sometimes when IV isn’t available
how do you administer a drug IN?
drip on plane of nose and let drips run down into nostril (less sneezing)
what is the gold standard for maximum amount of fluid in one area SQ?
dog: 300 mL
cat: 100 mL
can vary a little with size of animal
what muscles can be used for IM injections?
epaxial, hamstrings, quadriceps, triceps
what is the max volume for an IM injection site?
dog: 5 mL
cat: 2 mL
what area is ideal for an SQ injection?
dorsolateral area from neck to hips
what veins can be used for an IV injection?
cephalic, jugular, saphenous (lateral in dogs, medial in cats)
when are ID injections used?
allergy testing, local anesthetics
what are IO injections used for?
fluids, drugs, blood products
when would an IO injection be the best option?
when you can’t do IV, neonates, exotics, circular collapse
where can an IO injection be done?
tibia, femur, humerus, iliac wing
where is an IP (intraperitoneal) injection done?
in ventral abdomen between umbilicus and bladder
when would an IP injection be done?
euthanasia or for lab animal injections
when is ET (intratracheal) administration used?
CPR
how do you administer drugs ET?
place endotracheal tube or RR catheter into trachea, push meds through and follow with 10 mL air or 3-10 mL sterile saline
what drugs would you administer ET?
epinephrine, atropine, lidocaine
when is an IC (intracardiac) injection used
euthanasia in comatose or heavily sedated animals
what routes have the fastest absorption?
IV and IO
what routes only take 2-3 min for absorption?
ET, IN, sublingual/buccal
