Routes of Administration Flashcards
1
Q
oral med types
A
tablets, capsules, liquids, suspensions, elixirs, lozenges
2
Q
Which is the most comon route of administration for meds?
A
oral
3
Q
oral med contraindications
A
- vomiting
- decreased GI motility
- absence of gag relfex
- dysphagia
- decreased LOC
4
Q
pt position for oral med admin
A
HOB at 90° to help with swallowing
5
Q
administering oral meds with or without food
A
- administer irritating meds with small amount of food
- do not mix with large amount of food or drink in case pt can’t consume it all
- avoid admin with interacting foods or drinks
- administer as prescribed:
- empty stomach = 30 min to 1 hr AC or 2 hrs PC
- with food
6
Q
When is it OK to crush, cut, or dilute meds?
A
- follow manufacturer’s instructions
- break/cut scored tablets only
7
Q
When should liquid forms be administered, and how should they be prepared?
A
- use liquid whenever possible to facilitate swallowing
- follow directions for dilution and shaking
- to prepare: place med cup on flat surface, pour and measure to base of meniscus
8
Q
advantage of oral meds
A
- safe
- inexpensive
- easy and convenient
9
Q
disadvantages of oral meds
A
- highly variable absorption
- inactivation in GI tract or by first-pass effect
- pts must be cooperative and conscious
10
Q
sublingual (SL)
A
under the tongue
11
Q
buccal
A
between cheek and gum
12
Q
client ed: sublingual and buccal
A
- keep med in place until complete absorption
- do not eat or drink while tablet is in place, until completely dissolved
13
Q
types of topical meds
A
- powders
- sprays
- creams
- oitments
- pastes
- oil- and suspension-based lotions
14
Q
advantages of topical meds
A
- painless
- limited adverse effects
15
Q
topical med admin
A
- apply with glove, tongue blade, cotton-tipped applicator
- do not apply with bare hand
- skin: wash with soap and water, pat dry beforehand
- use surgical asepsis to apply to open wounds
16
Q
transdermal
A
- med in a skin patch
- systemic effects
17
Q
client ed: transdermal meds
A
- apply patches according to directions and dosage (remove old before applying new, etc.)
- wash with soap and water, dry thoroughly before applying
- place patch on hairless area
- rotate sites to prevent skin irritation
18
Q
eye drop admin steps
A
- pt upright or supine, head tilted, looking up
- rest dominant hand on forehead
- drop med from 1-2 cm over conjunctival sac
- avoid placing directly on cornea
- have pt close eye gently
- repeat if they blink during instillation
- apply gentle pressure with tissue to nasolacrimal duct for 30-60 sec
- wait at least 5 min between eye meds
19
Q
eye ointment admin
A
apply thin ribbon to edge of lower eyelid from inner to outer canthus
20
Q
pt position for ear meds
A
- sitting upright or side-lying
- preferably side-lying for 2-3 min after instillation
21
Q
ear med admin steps
A
- pull auricle up and out for adults or down and back for children under 3 years
- instill drops from 1 cm above ear canal
- gently apply pressure to tragus unless painful
- if necessary, gently place cotton ball in outermost part of ear canal
22
Q
nose drops med admin
A
- use medical aseptic technique
- supine
- support head with nondominant hand
- instruct pt to mouth breathe, stay supine, and not blow nose for 5 min after
23
Q
nose spray admin
A
- use medical aseptic technique
- prime spray if indicated
- insert tip into nare with nozzle pointed away from center of nose
- spray into nose while pt inhales
- instruct pt not to blow nose for several minutes
24
Q
rectal suppository admin
A
- position client in left lateral or Sims’
- insert suppository just beyond internal sphincter
- instruct pt to lie flat or in left lateral for at least 5 min after, to retain suppository
- absorption times vary with med
25
Q
vaginal suppository or cream admin
A
- pt supine with knees bent and feet flat, hips closed (modified lithotomy or dorsal recumbent)
- provide perineal care if needed
- lubricate suppository or fill applicator
- insert med along posterior wall or irrigate as indicated
- suppository: 3-4 in
- creams, jellies, foams: 2-3 in
- wash reusable applicators with soap and water or discard disposables
26
Q
client ed: MDI steps
A
- remove cap
- shake vigorously 5-6 times
- hold:
- mouthpiece at bottom
- thumb near mouthpiece
- index and middle fingers at top
- about 1-2 in away from mouth or close mouth around opening and point at back of throat
- take deep breath and exhale
- tile head back slightly
- press inhaler and begin slow, deep inhalation (3-5 sec) at the same time
- hold breath 10 sec
- remove inhaler
- resume normal breathing
27
Q
client ed: MDI spacer
A
- keeps med in device longer, increases amount of med delivered to lungs
- installation:
- remove covers from mouthpieces of inhaler and spacer
- insert MDI into end of spacer
- use as with MDI alone, with mouth on spacer mouthpiece
28
Q
client ed: DPI use
A
- do not shake
- take cover off mouthpiece
- follow directions for prep (turning wheel or loading med pellet)
- exhal completely
- place mouthpiece between lips and inhale deeply through your mouth
- hold breath for 5-10 sec
- remove inhaler
- slowly exhale through pursed lips
- resume normal breathing
- rinse mouth with water or brush teeth if using corticosteroid (reduces risk of fungal infection)
29
Q
client ed: DPI care
A
- remove canister
- rinse inhaler, cap, spacer once a day with warm running water
- dry completely before use
30
Q
admin rules: NG and gastrostomy tubes
A
- use liquid meds if available or crush meds if allowed
- dissolve crushed tabs and capsule contents in 15-30 mL sterile water
- do not crush specifically prepared oral meds (extended/time-release, fluid-rilled, enteric-coated)
- do not give SL meds through tube; place under tongue
- give each med separately
- do not mix with enteral feedings
31
Q
admin steps: NG and gastrostomy tubes
A
- verify tube placement
- use syringe and allow med to flow in by gravity or push with plunger
- flush before and after each med with 15-30 mL of sterile water to prevent clogging
- flush with 15-30 mL warm sterile water after giving all meds
32
Q
A
