Drug Administration Guidelines Quiz

Routes of Drug Administration

• Enteral routes include sublingual/buccal, oral, and rectal routes.
• Parenteral routes include intravascular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, and inhalation routes.
• Topical routes include external topicals and internal topicals.

Enteral Routes

• Sublingual/buccal route: drugs are taken as smaller tablets, held in the mouth or under the tongue. • Advantages: rapid absorption, drug stability (e.g., nitroglycerin for rapid relief of angina).
• Oral route: used for systemic effect, substance is given via the digestive tract. • Disadvantages: sometimes inefficient, irritation to gastric mucosa.
• Rectal route: most commonly by suppository or enema. • Advantages: useful for patients unable to take drugs orally.

Parenteral Routes

• Intravascular route: inject drug directly into the bloodstream. • Advantages: accurate and immediate onset of action. • Disadvantages: high concentrations leading to greater risk of adverse effects.
• Intramuscular route: inject drug directly into the skeletal muscle. • Disadvantages: pain at injection site.
• Subcutaneous route: highly effective in administering vaccines and medications (e.g., insulin). • Advantages: slow and constant absorption. • Disadvantages: absorption limited by blood flow, affected if circulatory problems exist.
• Inhalation route: lungs provide an excellent surface for absorption when the drug is delivered in gaseous or aerosol form. • Advantage: rapid onset action due to rapid access to circulation.

Topical Routes

• Topical route: drugs are applied topically to the skin or mucous membranes, mainly for local action. • Examples: skin, otic, vaginal, ophthalmic.

Classification of Drugs According to Their Action

• Analgesic: relieve pain.
• Antipyretic: reduce fever.
• Anti-inflammatory: reduce inflammation.
• Anti-coagulants: inhibit or decrease blood clotting.
• Anti-histamine: prevent or relieve allergies.
• Anti-convulsion: prevent or treat convulsions.
• Antibiotics: destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
• Anti-emetics: prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.

Rules for Administration

• Wash hands.
• Give only drugs the doctor orders.
• Prepare in a well-lit area.
• Calculate the dose carefully.
• Never give a drug that someone else has prepared.

Rights of Medication Administration

• Right patient.
• Right medication.
• Right dosage.
• Right route.
• Right time.
• Right client education.
• Right to refuse.
• Right documentation.