Fundamentals: Final Exam - Medication Administration

what is pharmikokinetics?

the study of how medications enter the body, reach their site of action, are metabolized, and exit the body

define absorption.

passage of medication molecules into the blood from the site of administration

what are the factors that influence absorbtion?

- route of admin

- blood flow to the site of administration

- body surface area

- lipid solubility

- client specific factors

define distribution.

occurs within the body to tissues, organs, and specific sites of action

what does distribution depend on?

- physical & chemical properties of the medication

- physiology of the person taking it: circulation, membrane permeability, & protein binding

define metabolism.

are broken down into less-potent or inactive forms

________ occurs under the influence of enzymes that detoxify, break down, and remove active chemicals.

biotransformation (metabolism)

what factors influence metabolism?

genetics & age

define excretion.

medications are excreted, or leave the body through kidneys, skin, bowel, lungs, liver, exocrine glands.

what factor determines the organ of excretion?

chemical makeup of medication

therapeutic effect

expected/predicted response

adverse effect

unintended/undesirable/unpredicted response

side effect

predictable/unavoidable secondary response

toxic effect

accumulation of medication in the bloodstream

idiosyncratic reaction

unpredictable; over or underreaction/different than normal

allergic reaction

unpredictable response to a medication

what is the nurses role in medication administration?

- determines medications ordered are correct

- assesses patients ability to self-administer

- determines medication timing

- administers medications correctly

- closely monitoring effects

- provides patient teaching

true or false: the nurse can delegate medication administration to assistive personnel

false (cannot delegate)

what information makes a medication order/prescription from a provider complete?

- full name

- date ordered

- medication name

- dosage/quantity

- route

- time/frequency

- signature from healthcare provider

- compare to EMAR

what are the enteral routes of medication administration?

oral & tube

true or false: the oral route is the safest & most convenient

true

oral medications have a ______ onset of action & a more _______ effect.

slower, prolonged

what are the three different kinds of oral medications?

- oral (pills/liquid)

- sublingual

- buccal

what clients would use the tube route?

who have NG-tube, PEG-tube

true or false: when using a tube route you are not using the GI tract

false (think NG tube)

how would the nurse administer tube route meds?

- use liquids when available

- crush medications & mix with warm water

- flush tubing before, between, & upon completion

what are complications of tube medication administration?

- clogged tubing

- misconnected tubing

what are the nursing actions when applying a transdermal patch?

- wear gloves

- remove existing patch

- document patch location/removal on EMAR

- label on patch: date, time, initials

what are the nursing actions for ophthalmic medication administration?

- avoid the cornea

- avoid touching eye or eyelid with droppers or tubes

- use only on the affected eye

- never share eye medications

what are otic (eardrops) used for?

local infection & inflammation

true or false: the nurse should use room temperature ear drops & steril solutions

true

what is a sign of eardrum rupture? what should the nurse do with this finding?

- ear drainage

- check with healthcare provider

never ____ the ear canal

occlude

what are the methods of nasal meds?

spray, drops & tampons

what is the most common nasal medication?

decongestant spray

what is rebound effect with nasal medication?

increased swelling & congestion

intravaginal medications

- inserted with a gloved hand: suppositories

- administered with an applicator inserter: foam, jellies, creams

rectal suppositories are...

- thinner & more bullet shaped than vaginal suppository

- rounded end prevents anal trauma

- contains medications that exert local effects

what might be required before inserting a suppository?

small cleansing enema

inhaled medications...

- take the form of small droplets

- inhaled through the trachea to lungs

- used to treat respiratory conditions

what are intradermal injections (ID) used for?

skin testing such as TB or allergies

what is the absorption rate, angle of insertion, and place of injection for ID?

- slow absorption

- angle 5-10 degrees

- dermis

what is the absorption rate, angle of insertion, and place of injection for intramuscular (IM)?

- faster than subcutaneous

- angle 90 degrees

- upper arm, thigh, ventrogluteal

what is the absorption rate, angle of insertion, and place of injection for subcutaneous?

- slower absorption than IM

- angle 45-90 degrees based on patients weight & adipose tissue

- loose connective (adipose) tissue under dermis

what is the absorption rate, angle of insertion, and place of injection for intravenous (IV)?

- absorbed quickly

- angle 10-25 degrees

- vein

what are examples of IV injections?

- continuous IV fluids

- piggy back

- IV push