Medication routes

Cards (24)

  • Intranasal medication: through the nose
    • action is local or systemic
    • indication: given in the nose
    • contraindications are allergies and sensitivity
  • Administration procedure for intranasal medication could be spraying, instillation or topical
  • Advantages of intranasal meds:
    • high surface area, adherence and permeability
    • rapid therapeutic level
    • direct contact with lymphatic tissue
    • bypass first pass effect
  • Disadvantages of intranasal meds:
    • risk of nasal irritation
    • damage to eyelashes
    • limits classes of meds which could be used
  • Absorption of intranasal medication can be passive (paracellular or transcellular) or active
  • A topical medication is administered onto skin, nails and hair
    • action can be local or systemic
    • indications: topical administration for preventive or therapeutic purposes
    • contraindications: allergy or sensitivity
  • Topical medication function:
    • promote wound healing
    • reduce pain
    • reduce dermatological problem
    • moisture
    • clean and disinfect skin
    • manage infection
    • prevent deterioration or development of condition
  • Most common forms of topical meds are lotions, creams, ointments, powders, shampoos, oils, foams and gels
  • Ointment and oils are more occlusive than creams and gels
  • Absorption of topical medications is influenced by medication, anatomical site, skin conditions, time of applications, application (layer and distribution) and cleaning of the area
  • Important to wear gloves when administering cream on a pt
  • Ophthalmic medication is inserted into the eye for absorption by the ocular mucosa
    • action is local
    • function could be for infection, surgery, dryness, allergies, glaucoma, conjunctives prophylaxis
    • contraindications is a foreign body penetrating the eye or chemical burns
  • Administration of ophthalmic medication is done aseptically in the subconjunctival sac. Important to follow recommended steps and wear gloves
  • An auricular medication is given into the auditory conduct
    • action is local
    • indication is to soften cerumen, reduce inflammation or pain, infections
    • contraindications is the perforation of the tympanic membrane, allergies, auditory canal trauma
  • Precautions for auricular medication
    • administer at room temperature
    • always use a sterile solution
    • do not apply pressure
    • do not obstruct the auditory duct
  • Rectal medication can have a local or systemic effect
  • Indications for rectal medication is dysphagia, nausea or vomiting, staying NPO, functional absorption by the rectal mucous membrane, palliative phase of a disease
  • Contraindications for rectal medication is a rectal tumor or abscess, arrythmias, rectal bleeding, rectal or prostate surgery, hematology conditions
  • Types of medications given rectally are suppositories, capsules, ointments, liquids, tablets and gels
  • Factors affecting absorption of rectal medication are presence of stool, diarrhea, solution used, local irritation and anastomosis
  • Administering an enema rectally is the introduction of a large volume of solution to stimulate peristalsis or irritate the mucosa to stimulate peristalsis
  • Types of enemas
    • hypotonic: softens stool, not very common
    • isotonic solution: softens stool, safest solution
    • hypertonic: sodium phosphate, most common
    • oil retention: mineral oil to lubricate stool, common
  • Sublingual meds are given under the tongue. Contraindications are according to the drug as well as the disturbance of GI function, certain diagnostic tests or surgeries
  • Sublingual meds are directly diffused into the blood vessels under the tongue. Certain are extended release medications which means they are released in the bloodstream over a period of specific intervals