Route Of Administration

Question 1

What is systemic administration?

Answer 1

-when the drug is administered by a route where the drug has to first be absorbed into the bloodstream and then is distributed around the body and delivered to the required area

Question 2

What is oral systemic administration?

Answer 2

-when the drug is administered via the mouth, it passes into the stomach to the small intestine where its absorbed into the bloodstream to then be transported/distributed throughout the body

-care needs to be taken to ensure oral medications are not aspirated

Question 3

What are the advantages of oral administration?

Answer 3

-easy to administer
-not painful for animal
-less stressful
-better owner compliance
-long term use is possible

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of oral administration?

Answer 4

-slow absorption, leading to delayed initial effect
-some inaccurate dosing can be seen
-exact amount absorbed is uncertain
-vomiting and salivation would mean drug would not take effect
-injury to animal or self

Question 5

What is parenteral systemic administration?

Answer 5

-injection
-quicker in action and more reliable
-dosage more accurate
-used in patients that are vomiting, unconscious or requiring immediate effect medication

Question 6

What is a subcut injection, and technique?

Answer 6

-medication is injected into fat layer which lies under the skin
-scruff at back of neck

-skin grasped and needle inserted at 45 angle, draw back to check for blood

Question 7

What are the advantages of subcut injections?

Answer 7

-relatively painless
-quick effect
-accurate dose
-larger doses can be administered

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of subcut injections?

Answer 8

-requires skill
-large volumes can be painful
-slower absorption as has lower blood supply
-risk of infection
-risk of allergic reaction

Question 9

What are intramuscular injections, and technique?

Answer 9

-medication is injected into muscle mass
-quadriceps femoris or lumbar epaxial

-hold muscle mass, insert needle at 90 angle, draw back to check for blood

Question 10

What are the advantages of intramuscular injections?

Answer 10

-quick effect as has rich blood supply
-accurate dose

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of intramuscular injections?

Answer 11

-only small amounts can be administered as muscle tissue is densely packed
-skill required
-can be painful
-risk of infection
-risk of allergic reaction

Question 12

What are intravenous injections?

Answer 12

-medication is injected directly into the vein
-cephalic, saphenous, jugular or marginal ear

-needle inserted into vein, ensure blood is present

Question 13

What are advantages of intravenous injections?

Answer 13

-most rapid action achieved
-direct effect
-accurate dose
-larger volumes given over prolonged periods

Question 14

What are disadvantages of intravenous injections?

Answer 14

-assistance and skill required
-preparation of skill required
-increased risk of infection
-can be painful
-possibility for injuries
-risk of allergic reaction

Question 15

What is intraperitoneal injection, and technique?

Answer 15

-medication is injected into the peritoneal cavity
(area which surrounds abdominal organs)

-animal is held on its back with head downwards, allowing abdominal organs to move towards diaphragm
-needle inserted at 20 angle into abdomen.
(lateral/caudal to the umbilicus towards head)
-draw back to check for fluid, would indicate an organ has been hit

Question 16

What are advantages of intraperitoneal injections?

Answer 16

-relatively painless
-rapid effect as has good blood supply
-accurate dose possible
-large volumes can be administered

Question 17

What are disadvantages of intraperitoneal injections?

Answer 17

-assistance and skill required
-risk of infection
-risk of penetrating organs

Question 18

What are intraosseous injections, and technique?

Answer 18

-medication is injected directly into the bone

-needle inserted into medullary cavity of bone, the femoral head and wing of ilium and humerus commonly used

-generally used when IV access not possible and rapid response required

Question 19

What are advantages of intraosseous injections?

Answer 19

-rapid action, almost direct effect due to massive bone blood supply
-accurate dose
-larger doses volumes can be given
-relatively comfortable once cannulae placed

Question 20

What are disadvantages of intraosseous injections?

Answer 20

-sedation/GA required as painful procedure
-sterility required
-high risk of infection
-must be performed by vet, with assistance

Question 21

What are intraarticular injections, and technique?

Answer 21

-medication given directly into the joint

-needle inserted into joint cavity
-generally used for long acting analgesics/anti-inflammatory for joint conditions

Question 22

What are advantages of intraarticular injections?

Answer 22

-has direct effect
-local effect meaning high dose can be used increasing effectiveness of drug
-accurate doses

Question 23

What are disadvantages of intraarticular injections?

Answer 23

-sedation/GA required as painful procedure
-sterility required
-performed by vet, with assistance
-high risk of infection

Question 24

What is topical administration?

Answer 24

-medication applied directly to desired area
-drug only has an effect on area its applied as its not absorbed into the blood stream

Question 25

What are advantages of topical administration?

Answer 25

-direct and rapid action, no absorption required -reduced toxicity risk, not absorbed into blood stream -easy to administer -not painful -can use high doses, increasing effectiveness -long term use possible

Question 26

What are disadvantages of topical administration?

Answer 26

-inaccurate dosing -preparation of area before administration may be required -animal may interfere once applied (Licking medication, chewing or scratching may cause more damage)