chapter 9-10

• Eternal medications include capsules, tablets, liquids, enemas, and suppositoires.
• The most common medications given orally are antibiotics, antacids, antihypertensive drugs, and heartburn medications.
• Oral medications have the advantage of being one of the least expensive routes and are preferred by patients.
• The disadvantage of oral medications is the risk of choking and aspiration which can cause infections or death.
• Stomach acid destroys or inactivates many medications, affecting their absorption.
• The amount of food can affect the absorption of oral medications.
• Contraindications for oral medications include nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and patient unconsciousness.
• Oral solid medications are poured out of a bulk bottle and include pills, capsules, and blister packs.
• Pills can be scored for easy dividing and some can be time-released, breaking down in the alkalotic environment of the small intestine.
• Oral liquid medications are easier to swallow and are more quickly absorbed than solids.
• Effervescent salts contain granules or coarse powders containing medicinal agents plus tartaric acid or sodium bicarbonate, which when added to water, carbonation occurs.
• Elixirs contain alcohol (ETOH) which helps dissolve the medication and makes it more palatable, but should not be given to children or people with diabetes and alcoholism.
• Emulsions are oils and fats in water.
• Magas are liquid and fine particles in water such as milk of magnesia.
• Powders are finely ground medications.
• Solutions are medications evenly distributed.
• Suspensions may not be evenly distributed, thus must be shaken before administering to get a consistent dose.
• Saline is a sodium chloride solution.
• Syrups are medications added to highly sweetened liquid.
• Lipids are fats containing soybean or safflower oil added to water, glycerin and egg yolks to provide calories.
• Nasogastric tube medications can be administered through liquid medications or emulsions.
• IV push is the quick delivery of a small amount of medication in a syringe.
• Blood and blood products correct blood loss and provide missing clotting factors.
• Needles for injectable medications come in safety needles to prevent accidental needle sticks.
• Tuberculin is used for TB testing, ID injections, or with small amounts of medication.
• Dextrose is a sugar and water solution.
• Piggyback is a separate IV bag and tubing connected to the primary IV tubing to administer medication over a short period of time.
• Infusion is the slow IV administration of a large volume of fluid.
• TPN is administered directly into a large vein via a special long-term IV catheter.
• Vials are glasses or plastic sealed with a rubber stopper and may contain liquid or powder for reconstitution.
• Insulin is administered only through a standard hypodermic needle with a range of 3 to 60 mL.
• Iv tubing comes in different types such as butterfly (21 to 25 gauge) and angiocath (straight needle 14 to 22 gauge).
• Injectable medications are supplied in ampules, which are small glass containers holding one dose.
• Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a method of providing calories and nutrients when a patient's digestive system needs recovery time.
• Iv administration involves a fluid bag or bottle and iv tubing ranging from 6 to 120 inches in length with a filter.
• Lactated Ringer’s is a mixture of dextrose, potassium chloride, sodium lactate, and calcium.
• Buccal medications are administered in the mouth or throat.
• Sublingual medications are administered under the tongue for quick absorption.
• Nitroglycerin is the most common drug given rectally, given for relief of chest pain.
• Rectal medications are used when severe nausea and vomiting are present and the patient is not alert enough to swallow or unable to swallow.