Week 3 - Study Cards Flashcards
Parental Medications
Technically refers to any route other than via digestive system
Commonly refers to meds given by injection with needle and syringe
Generally act more quickly (more rapidly absorbed)
Sterile solutions, generally non-irritating
Preferred route if client is vomiting or unconscious and no gastric route is available
Needle lengths…
Vary in length from ¼ to 3 inches
As needle gauge becomes smaller – diameter becomes larger
Choose needle length according to patient’s size, weight, type of tissue to be injected
Selection of gauge depends on medication viscosity
Ampules are…
Sealed glass container; holds single dose
Designed to snap open at neck
Use SEALED alcohol ipe (not wet wipe) or gauze to hold while snapping
Which needle do you use with Ampules
Withdraw meds with filter needle to prevent aspiration of tiny glass shards
Vials
Plastic or glass with rubber stopper affixed with a capped aluminum band
Sterility of rubber stopper not guaranteed—wipe first with alcohol for 15 sec then let dry 15 sec
When expressing medication from vials it is important to first…
Injection of air equal to amount to be withdrawn facilitates removal of solution - DO NOT OVERFILL
Mix-o-vial
Has two chambers—powder separated by stopper from solution; mix before administration
Insulin Syringes
Use for INSULIN ONLY—do not give insulin with any other syringe
Measured in units
Syringe calibrated to match insulin doses
Lo-dose and 1-mL sizes
Z-track method used to…
Helps minimize local skin irritation by sealing medicine in muscle
Z-track method
- Use new needle after preparing medication
- Just below injection site, pull skin and subq tissue 1 – 1 ½ inches down or laterally
- Insert needle and aspirate
- Inject while holding skin
- Withdraw needle
- release skin
True or False: Insulin is measured and given in mL
False: Units
True or False: 21 Gauge needle is bigger than a 27 gauge needle
True
True or False: Intramuscular administration is the only time you aspirate before injecting.
True
