Routes of Administration Flashcards
(32 cards)
oral med types
tablets, capsules, liquids, suspensions, elixirs, lozenges
Which is the most comon route of administration for meds?
oral
oral med contraindications
- vomiting
- decreased GI motility
- absence of gag relfex
- dysphagia
- decreased LOC
pt position for oral med admin
HOB at 90° to help with swallowing
administering oral meds with or without food
- 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
When is it OK to crush, cut, or dilute meds?
- follow manufacturer’s instructions
- break/cut scored tablets only
When should liquid forms be administered, and how should they be prepared?
- 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
advantage of oral meds
- safe
- inexpensive
- easy and convenient
disadvantages of oral meds
- highly variable absorption
- inactivation in GI tract or by first-pass effect
- pts must be cooperative and conscious
sublingual (SL)
under the tongue
buccal
between cheek and gum
client ed: sublingual and buccal
- keep med in place until complete absorption
- do not eat or drink while tablet is in place, until completely dissolved
types of topical meds
- powders
- sprays
- creams
- oitments
- pastes
- oil- and suspension-based lotions
advantages of topical meds
- painless
- limited adverse effects
topical med admin
- 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
transdermal
- med in a skin patch
- systemic effects
client ed: transdermal meds
- 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
eye drop admin steps
- 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
eye ointment admin
apply thin ribbon to edge of lower eyelid from inner to outer canthus
pt position for ear meds
- sitting upright or side-lying
- preferably side-lying for 2-3 min after instillation
ear med admin steps
- 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
nose drops med admin
- 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
nose spray admin
- 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
rectal suppository admin
- 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