Routes of Medication Administration

Question 1

Oral

Answer 1

Oral medications are taken by mouth, sublingual (under the tongue), or ingested (swallowed)

Question 2

Types of oral meds

Answer 2

Tablets (coated, scored, time released) , Capsules (hard shell , soft shell) , Liquids ( suspension , syrup , elixir)

Question 3

Sublingual or Buccal Medications

Answer 3

Sublingual administration involves placing a medication (i.e., tablet, film, or strip) under the tongue where it dissolves and is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Buccal administration involves placing a medication between the gums and cheek where it dissolves and is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Question 4

Crushing

Answer 4

• make sure equipment is clean and dry
• mix crushed meds with small amount of food or water
• drink water after

Question 5

Cutting

Answer 5

• make sure medication is scored

- use a pill cutter or knife

Question 6

Cleaning the ear

Answer 6

• wash hands and put on gloves
• use a wet cloth and clean the ear in a downwards motion
• never insert cotton swabs into the ear
• change gloves for administering medication

Question 7

Aministering Ear Medication

Answer 7

• Warm the medication to body temperature by rolling it in your hand
• Position the person comfortably with the ear facing up
• Straighten the ear canal, for patients 3 and up pull the upper ear (pinna) up and back
• Place selected amount of drops into ear , allow medication to absorb into ear
• Don’t use cotton swabs because it can absorb medication

Question 8

Eyedrops

Answer 8

• have the head tilted back
• pull down the lower eyelid
• have the person look away
• administer drops without having dropper touch the eyelid

Question 9

Eye ointment

Answer 9

• have the head tilted back
• pull down the lower eyelid
• have the person look away
• administer ointment without having dropper touch the eyelid
• close eye for 2-3 minutes , will blur vision
• don’t rub eye afterwards

Question 10

Transdermal patch

Answer 10

• remove the old patch
• clean and dry the skin
• rotate the site of application
• discard the old patch

Question 11

Dysphagia

Answer 11

-follow perscribers orders for crushed tablets + liquids

Question 12

Narcan

Answer 12

-used in opioid overdoes