Parenteral Administration Basics

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Questions and Answers

Which route of drug administration bypasses the gastrointestinal tract?

  • Sublingual
  • Rectal
  • Oral
  • Parenteral (correct)

Why might a drug be administered parenterally rather than orally?

  • To increase the duration of the drug’s effects
  • To bypass the digestive system for better absorption (correct)
  • To reduce the potency of the drug
  • To achieve a slower onset of action

A physician orders a medication to be given via intradermal injection. At what angle should the injection be administered?

  • 10 to 15 degrees (correct)
  • 90 degrees
  • 25 degrees
  • 45 degrees

A nurse needs to administer an intramuscular injection. What angle should the needle be inserted?

<p>90 degrees (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A subcutaneous injection is required. Which angle is MOST appropriate?

<p>45 degrees (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of syringe would allow for the MOST accurate measurement of a small volume of medication, such as 0.3 mL?

<p>A tuberculin syringe (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the plunger in a syringe?

<p>To create suction to withdraw or inject fluid (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'U-100' indicate when referring to insulin syringes?

<p>The insulin concentration is 100 units per milliliter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For patients receiving 45 units of U-100 insulin, which type of syringe would be MOST appropriate?

<p>A low-dose insulin syringe (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A nurse is preparing a medication using a prefilled syringe. What is a DISADVANTAGE of using a prefilled syringe compared to a standard syringe?

<p>Limited ability to adjust the medication volume (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the needle is defined as the diameter of the hole through which medication is administered?

<p>Gauge (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When selecting a needle for an injection, what consideration is MOST important?

<p>The route of administration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A vial of medication contains a powdered drug that must be reconstituted. Prior to withdrawing the diluent, what action should the nurse take FIRST?

<p>Cleanse the rubber diaphragm with an antiseptic swab (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To ensure accurate measurement when reading a syringe, the nurse should:

<p>Read the volume at the plunger ring closest to the tip (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A nurse is preparing medication from an ampule. Why is it necessary to use a filter needle when withdrawing the medication?

<p>To remove any glass particles that may have entered the ampule (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After withdrawing medication from an ampule using a filter needle, what is the NEXT step before administering the medication?

<p>Discard the filter needle and attach a sterile needle (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When preparing medication from a vial, a nurse injects air into the vial before withdrawing the medication. What is the PRIMARY reason for this action?

<p>To create positive pressure to ease withdrawal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST appropriate method for mixing a Mix-O-Vial after activating the diaphragm-plunger?

<p>Swirling the vial gently to avoid foaming (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When preparing two types of insulin in one syringe, which type of insulin should be drawn into the syringe FIRST?

<p>Rapid-acting insulin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before combining two different types of insulin in the same syringe, the nurse MUST confirm:

<p>The compatibility of the two insulins (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After preparing two insulins in a single syringe, what action should the nurse take immediately?

<p>Administer the injection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following an injection, the CDC recommends using needleless systems when possible to prevent needle stick injuries. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), what percentage of needlestick injuries could be prevented in healthcare institutions?

<p>62% to 88% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Of these needle gauge sizes, which has the SMALLEST diameter?

<p>25 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When administering subcutaneous medications, which needle gauge size would be MOST appropriate?

<p>25 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a glass ampule?

<p>It contains a single dose of medication (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To ensure patient safety, what must be confirmed BEFORE preparing any parenteral medication?

<p>The medication administration record (MAR) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which step is essential when preparing a medication for parenteral administration?

<p>Checking compatibility chart before mixing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the PRIMARY reason for using a blunt access device instead of a standard needle when accessing a vial?

<p>To reduce coring of the vial’s rubber stopper and decrease needle sticks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to safety protocols, what must syringes and needles be?

<p>Sterile. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where should used syringes and needles be disposed?

<p>In a sharps container. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A nurse draws up the shorter-acting insulin before the longer acting if mixing in the same syringe. What must the nurse do FIRST?

<p>Check thoroughly for complete drug order information. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of container system allows for the GREATEST accuracy for drug preparation?

<p>Mix-O-Vial (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Parenteral administration

Drug administration by any route other than the GI tract.

Insulin Syringe

A syringe with a special scale for measuring insulin.

Prefilled syringes

Disposable syringes with a premeasured amount of medication

Syringe parts

The part of the syringe that include the barrel, plunger, and tip.

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Tuberculin syringe

Used to measure small volumes of medication accurately, especially less than 1 mL.

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Needle gauge

Refers to the diameter of the hole inside the needle.

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Ampules

Glass containers usually containing a single dose of medication

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Vials

Glass containers that contain one or more doses of medication

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Mix-O-Vials

Glass containers with two chambers, one for solvent and one for drug.

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Needleless systems

Major safety improvements to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries.

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Reconstituting

Device used to prepare medication from a vial by mixing solvent with a powder.

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Reading a Syringe

Always use the plunger ring closest to the tip to read the volume contained in a syringe

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Parts of the Needle

Hub, shaft, and beveled tip

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Sterile

Syringes and needles must be sterile to prevent infection.

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Insulin Syringes

Administering insulin requires checking compatibility, labels, and following a specific order.

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Study Notes

Parenteral Administration

  • Parenteral administration involves drug delivery via routes other than the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
  • Parenteral routes include intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV) injections

Parenteral Administration Effects

  • Parenterally administered drugs have a rapid onset but shorter duration
  • Parenteral administration allows for smaller dosages with higher potency and often results in higher costs

Syringes

  • Syringes are typically made of hard plastic with three main parts: the barrel, plunger, and tip
  • Syringes are calibrated in milliliters (mL)
  • Tuberculin syringes are available and require just 1 mL syringe

Insulin Syringes

  • Insulin syringes feature a special scale for measuring insulin
  • In the United States, insulin is manufactured in U-100 concentration
  • A U-100 syringe holds 100 units of insulin per milliliter
  • Low-dose insulin syringes are for patients receiving 50 units or less of U-100 insulin

Prefilled Syringes

  • Prefilled syringes are disposable and contain a premeasured amount of medication
  • Advantages include time savings in preparation and reduced risk of contamination
  • Disadvantages include additional expense, varied holders for different cartridges, and limited volume for a second medication

Needle Anatomy

  • The needle comprises three parts: the hub, shaft, and beveled tip
  • Needle gauge refers to the diameter of the needle's bore
  • Needle selection depends on the site and patient type; smaller needles are generally for pediatric use

Needle Selection and Route

  • Needle gauge and length depends on the route of administration
  • The volume of medication varies for each type of injection
  • Common injection types include intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular
  • The reading should be taken from the point where the rubber flange is parallel to the calibration scale on the barrel

Safety Systems

  • Safety systems involve the use of needleless systems
  • Needleless systems provide an alternative to needles for routine procedures
  • They reduce the risk of needlesticks with contaminated sharps
  • Syringes and needles must be sterile
  • Dispose of used syringes and needles in a sharps container, complying with OSHA standards

Parenteral Dosage Forms

  • Ampules are glass containers typically holding a single dose
  • Vials are glass containers that hold one or ore doses
  • Mix-O-Vials are glass containers with an upper solvent-containing chamber and a lower drug-containing chamber, each with just a single dose

Equipment for Parenteral Medication Preparation

  • Equipment includes a drug in a sterile, sealed container
  • Equipment also includes a syringe of the correct volume, a needle of the correct gauge and length, and a needleless access device
  • An antiseptic swab and the MAR or medication profile are also needed for preparation

Procedure Protocol

  • Hand hygiene should be performed
  • Follow the seven rights, and check the compatibility chart before mixing, as well as medication calculations
  • Prepare the drug in a clean, well-lit area, use asepsis, and check the expiration date

Preparing Medication from an Ampule

  • Move medication to the bottom of the ampule by shaking the liquid down out of the top
  • Cover the ampule neck with a sterile gauze pledget or antiseptic swab while breaking off the top
  • Use a filter needle to withdraw medication from the ampule, and discard the filter needle after
  • Attach a new sterile needle using the correct gauge and length
  • Administer the medication to the patient

Preparing Medication From a Vial (Reconstitution)

  • Mix thoroughly to dissolve powdered medications
  • Attach sterile needle using correct gauge and length
  • Administer the medication to the patient

Preparing Medication From a Vial

  • Cleanse the top of the vial of diluent
  • Pull the plunger of the syringe to fill with an amount of air equal to the volume of solution to be withdrawn
  • Insert the needle or needleless access device through the diaphragm; inject air into the vial
  • Withdraw the measured volume of drug
  • Attach sterile needle using correct gauge and length
  • Administer the medication to the patient

Preparing Medication From a Mix-O-Vial

  • Tap the container a few times to break up the caked powder
  • Remove the plastic lid protector
  • Push firmly on the diaphragm-plunger
  • Mix thoroughly by shaking gently to dissolve drugs into solvent
  • Cleanse the rubber diaphragm and remove drug using syringe to administer to patient
  • Attach sterile needle using correct gauge and length
  • Administer the medication to the patient

Preparing Two Medications in One Syringe

  • Verify compatibility of the two types of insulin
  • Check the labels against the provider's order on type
  • Check the concentration, expiration date, appearance, and temperature
  • Draw up the rapid-acting insulin into the syringe first, then add the intermediate-acting insulin
  • Cleanse the top of both vials with separate antiseptic alcohol wipes

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