Other Medical Supplies

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of facilitation provided by needles and syringes?

To promote patient comfort during administration

To facilitate penetration and injection through tissue or rubber closures (correct)

To ensure rapid flow rates during injection

To reduce the risk of infection during administration

Which type of needle is commonly used for local anaesthesia and SC administration?

Short-bevel needles

Special short-bevel needles

Long-bevel needles (correct)

IV administration needles

What is the primary advantage of using bulb syringes over plunger-type syringes?

They are more sterile

They are less likely to cause damage during use (correct)

They provide greater force during administration

They are more expensive

What is the unique feature of nasal syringes or nasal aspirators?

They have a glass tip for visual examination Signup and view all the answers

How should bulb syringes be sterilized if necessary?

By using germicidal solutions Signup and view all the answers

What is the common use of rectal syringes?

For administering enemas to infants Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of ear syringes and ulcer syringes?

They are one-piece molded bulbs of soft, flexible rubber Signup and view all the answers

What is the gauge range for IV, blood transfusion needles?

19-15 G Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of hypodermic syringes?

To administer medication subcutaneously, or intradermally, intravenously, or intramuscularly Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the barrel of a hypodermic syringe?

Nearly always transparent and made of plastic or glass Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using plastic syringes with a rubber piston?

They seal much better between piston and barrel, are cheap enough to dispose off after used only once, and reduce the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of reusing hypodermic syringes?

It spreads HIV, Hepatitis, and other blood-borne diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the tubing fitted to the open end of a hypodermic syringe?

To help direct the flow into and out of the barrel Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a hypodermic syringe and a plunger syringe?

A plunger syringe has a plunger, barrel, and tip, while a hypodermic syringe has a nozzle and tubing Signup and view all the answers

What is the use of a glass syringe?

It can be sterilized in an autoclave Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the plunger movement in a hypodermic syringe?

To take in and expel a liquid Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of medical syringes without a needle?

Oral administration of liquid medicines to young children or animals Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of sizes for syringes?

From 2 ml to 50 ml Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the bevel on a hypodermic needle?

To taper the point of the needle Signup and view all the answers

What determines the choice of needle gauge for a specific use?

The purpose of use Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual diameter of a 6-gauge needle?

1.65 mm Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of lengths for hypodermic needles?

From 0.25 to 6 inches Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of pre-filled syringes?

They are supplied as a standard dosage container Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of 21-gauge needles?

Drawing blood for testing purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a Foley catheter?

To drain urine from the bladder Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the additional lumen in a three-way Foley catheter?

For irrigation in case of blockage Signup and view all the answers

What is the main use of a nasogastric tube (NG tube)?

For feeding and administering drugs and other oral agents Signup and view all the answers

What is nasogastric aspiration (suction)?

The process of draining the stomach's contents via the tube Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a tongue depressor?

To depress the tongue to allow for examination of the mouth and throat Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an otoscope?

To look into the ears Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a laryngoscope?

To obtain a view of the vocal folds and the glottis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an ophthalmoscope?

To see inside the fundus of the eye Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of surgical gloves?

To protect a surgical wound from contamination Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before putting on sterile gloves?

Wash your hands before putting on sterile gloves Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examination gloves?

To prevent contamination or infection when examining or treating a patient Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if your medical gloves rip or tear?

Change your gloves Signup and view all the answers

What is a disposable scalpel used for?

To cut the skin during surgeries Signup and view all the answers

What is a common material used to make medical gloves?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after removing medical gloves?

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of surgical blades?

To cut the skin during surgeries Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Needles and Syringes

Syringes are instruments intended for instillation of liquids into the body or its cavities, or to withdraw body fluids from the body
Categories of syringes based on principle of action:
- Hypodermic/Plunger Syringes
  - Have three parts: plunger, barrel with ml calibration, and tip
  - Used to administer medication subcutaneously, or intradermally, intravenously, or intramuscularly
  - The open end of the syringe may be fitted with a hypodermic needle, nozzle, or tubing
  - Barrel of a syringe is made of plastic or glass
Hypodermic Needles:
- Characterized by gauge (size of the hole in the needle) and length
- Factors to consider for selection: safety, rate of flow, comfort of patient, and depth of penetration
- Long-bevel needles: for local anesthesia and subcutaneous administration
- Short-bevel needles: for IV administration, infusions, and transfusions
- Special short-bevel needles: for intradermal and spinal administration

Bulb Syringes

Frequently preferred when sterility is not necessary
Used for nasal and ear irrigation, and wound care
Types of bulb syringes:
- Nasal syringes or nasal aspirators: soft rubber bulbs with an acorn-shaped nasal tip
- Ear syringes and ulcer syringes: one-piece molded bulbs of soft, flexible rubber
- Rectal syringes: customarily of the bulb type, with a narrow nozzle

Medical Gloves

Surgical gloves: sterile, to protect a surgical wound from contamination
Examination gloves: non-sterile, to prevent contamination or infection when examining or treating a patient
Chemotherapy gloves: sterile or non-sterile, with properties to protect the wearer from chemotherapy drugs
Precautions when using medical gloves:
- Wash hands before putting on sterile gloves
- Check for allergies and proper fit
- Avoid using sharp objects that can puncture gloves
- Change gloves if they rip or tear
- Never reuse medical gloves

Disposable Scalpel and Surgical Blades

Disposable scalpel: a surgical instrument designed for a single use, made of materials that allow for easy sterilization and safe disposal
Surgical blades: specialized cutting instruments used in various medical procedures, attached to a handle to form a complete surgical scalpel

Catheters

Foley catheters: flexible tubes that are passed through the urethra during urinary catheterization and into the bladder to drain urine
- Types: two-way and three-way catheters
Uses: to provide direct and unimpeded airway to and from the lungs, and for general anesthesia, emergency, and intensive care

Endotracheal Tubes

Catheter that is inserted into the trachea through the mouth or nose in order to maintain an open air passage
Used in general anesthesia, emergency, and intensive care
Made from special non-toxic, clear, thermo-sensitive siliconized PVC material

Nasogastric Tubes

Clear plastic tube that passes through the patient's nose and throat and ends in the patient's stomach
Used for direct "tube feeding" to maintain nutritional status, removal of stomach acids, and in poisoning situations
Also used for preparation before surgery and to extract samples of gastric liquid for analysis