parenteral medications Flashcards
Parenteral medications
include those that are injected or infused into body tissues or into the bloodstream via the intradermal, subcutaneous, IM, or IV routes.
Rationale from asepsis in the preparation and administration of parenteral medications
reduce microbial contamination risk. Aseptic techniques are methods designed to prevent contamination from microorganisms.
The ______________the gauge, the _____________the diameter
smaller larger
Choose the gauge based on the (3)
(1) patient’s size and skin condition,
(2) viscosity of medication used, and
(3) speed of administration desired.
Smaller needles ( sizes n reasons)
vs
Larger needles (sizes n reasons)
25- to 30-gauge) cause less pain and trauma to the tissue, so they are useful for patients who must have frequent or long-term injections (e.g., insulin and heparin).
(14- to 18-gauge) are used for blood and more viscous medications, to mix IV medications, or for rapid infusion of IV medications.
Bevel
is the sharp slanted tip of the needle that creates an opening to administer medications or withdraw blood.
A long bevel ( purpose)
vs
Short bevels (purpose)
A long bevel tip is sharper and narrower and therefore causes less discomfort during injection. Long bevels are used for subcutaneous and IM injections.
Short bevels are used for intradermal or IV injections.
Needle Length
The distance from the hub (bottom) of the needle to the tip is the needle length. Lengths usually range from 3⁄8 inch to 3 inches.
Choose the length according to the (3)
(1) thickness of the patient’s muscle,
(2) amount of adipose tissue, and
(3) site in which the drug is to be injected
A _______needle is common for IM injections.
A shorter _______ needle is used for intradermal injections.
1½-inch
3⁄8- to 3⁄4-inch
A safety syringe
is a syringe with a built-in safety mechanism to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries to healthcare workers and others
Intradermal
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Inner aspect of forearm
0.1
26–28
3⁄8– 3⁄4
1.0
5°–15°
Subcutaneous insulin
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Fatty area over triceps, abdomen, anterior thigh
0.3, 0.5, and 1.0
28–31
3⁄16–1 (max 5⁄8 for upper arm)
0.3, 0.5, 1 (0.3–0.5 for upper arm)
45°–90°
Subcutaneous other
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Subcutaneous other
Fatty area over triceps, abdomen, anterior thigh
0.5–1
25–27
3⁄8–5⁄8
1.0–3.0
45°–90°
Intramuscular
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Deltoid
0.5–1
22–25
5⁄8–1 (infants and children)
1–11⁄2 (adults)
1.0
90°
Rectus femoris (not recommended)
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
2
22–25
11⁄2–3
1.0
90°
no other site accesible ….ONLY FOR ADULTS
Vastus lateralis
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
1.0 (infants younger than 12 months)
1–2 (infants and children 1 to 12 years)
3–5 (adults, depending on muscle size)
22–25
1 (infants younger than 12 months)
1–11⁄4 (infants 12 to 24 months)
11⁄2–3 (adults, depending on if obese)
1.0–3.0
45°–90°
Ventrogluteal
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
SYRINGE SIZE (mL)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
2.5–3
20–25
11⁄2–3
3.0
90°
Intravenous
Basilic veins
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Continuous infusion
18–25
1–11⁄2
N/A
Cephalic veins
SITE
MAX VOLUME (mL)
NEEDLE GAUGE
NEEDLE LENGTH (inch)
ANGLE OF INJECTION (degree)
Continuous infusion
18–25
1–11⁄2
Intradermal (ID) injections RATIONALE ( think about ppd test)
(absorption)
have the longest absorption time of all parenteral routes because there are fewer blood vessels and no muscle tissue.
These types of injections are used for sensitivity testing because the patient’s reaction is easy to visualize, and the degree of reaction can be assessed.