Medication Administration

By: Carolyn McCune RN, BSN, MSN, CRNP

Percutaneous Administration

Medications application to the skin or mucus membranes Ointments, creams, powders, lotions,

solutions into the mouth, eye, ear, nose, or vagina. Medications inhaled into the lungs

Reduced incidence of side effects but can be messy.

Creams, lotions and ointments

Creams Lotions Ointments

Patient teaching-Very important if patient or family administering

Always review the 6 patient rights for drug administration.

Dressings

Medicated dressings to treat wounds

Some protect

Patch Testing for Allergens

To identify sensitivity to allergens The antigens are placed in direct

contact with the skin and read in 3 and 7 days.

May vary with testing A redness or swelling will occur if

positive

Nitroglycerin Ointment

Used for relief of anginal pain Appying:

Always wear gloves Measure appriopriate amount Rotate application site Cover with plastic wrap and tape in place Wash hands after applying Education and teaching

Transdermal Delivery Systems

Transdermal disk-controlled release of medication.

Applying the disk Education to patient

Medications to Mucous Membranes

Buccal tablets/Sublingual meds Technique and Education Eye Drops and ointments Techniques and Education Nose drops Techniques and Education

Mucous Membranes Continued

Ear drops: Infants-pull earlobe down and back under 3

years of age Adults and over 3 years-pull up and back Education Nose drops and sprays Technique and Education

Medications by Inhalation

Nebulae-sprayed into throat by nebulizer Aerosols-use a flow of air or oxygen uder

pressure to get medications into the respiratory tract. May be done by respiratory therapy.

Education Vaginal medications(applicators,

suppositories, and douches. Technique and education

Starts Chapter 9

Enteral meds-drugs enter directly into the GI tract

Oral, tube, rectal

Administering Meds

Unit dose(single dose) Souffle cup Medicine cup dropper Teaspoon Oral syringe Nipple

Enteral Administration

Enteral-into the GI tract by oral, rectal or nasograstic. Safest and most conventient

Slowest and least dependable NG method-if unable to swallow Rectal route: bypassing the digestive

system and avoids stomach irritation.

Oral administration

Dose forms: Capsules Time released Lozenges Pills Tablets Emulsions Suspensions Syrups

Medications by Nasogastric,Gastrostomy, or

JejunostomyTube

Liquid form of drug if available Tablet form Always flush with water

Rectal Suppositories and Enemas

TechniqueEducation

Review: Always use 6 medication rightMust know how to education the patient and family regarding administration of meds

Start Chapter 10

Parenteral administration-

Parenteral administration

Route other than the enteral or GI tract Subcutaneous Intramuscular or Intravenous Onset more rapid, less dosage

Administration of medications by route other than GI tractThis will be covered in lab

You must know sites for SC and IM injections-please review prior to lab

Intradermal Route

Injected to produce a Wheal Absorption is slow Technique and education