Vet Nursing 1 Lecture Final - Medication Administration

Name common routes of medication administration

Oral (PO), sublingual, feeding tubes (esophagostomy, gastronomy, jejunostomy, orogastric, nasogastric), rectal (PR), aural, topical, ophthalmic, transdermal, inranasal, inhalation (nebulized/volatized), intratracheal, intradermal (ID), subcutaneous (SC/SD), intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), intraosseous (IO), intraperitoneal (IP), epidural/subdural, intracardiac (IC), intramammary

What factors influence the choice of medication route?

Patient factors: health condition, symptoms, drug absorption, temperament, ease for owner

Drug factors; formulation, cost, systemic vs local effect

Other factors; special precautions, potential side effects, compatibility with other meds, accurate dosing

Why are two needles often required for injections?

One to draw up the medication, one to administer — reduces contamination and maintains sterility

What determines needle gauge?

Route of administration, consistency of drug, and volume of drug

Why is syringe angle important?

Proper angle ensures correct tissue deposition and reduces complications

Why are SC injections commonly used?

Easiest and most frequent route, commonly for vaccines, slow absorption, good for chronic at-home fluids

When should SC injections be avoided?

Severely dehydrated or critically ill animals; some substances (e.g., >5% dextrose) can cause tissue damage

Preferred SC injection sites for dogs and cats?

Dorsolateral region from neck to hips; avoid intrascapular region in cats for vaccines or insulin. Alternate sites for insulin along dorsolateral or ventrolateral trunk

How is an intradermal allergy injection performed?

Lift a fold of skin, insert 25-27 gauge needle bevel up into dermis, inject 0.1 mL allergen, creates translucent lump, examine for tissue reaction

Common IM injection sites in dogs and cats?

Epaxial muscles (lumbosacral), quadriceps, semimembranosus/semitendinosus muscles

Needle direction for IM injections?

Always directed away from major nerves

Possible complications of IM injections?

Tissue trauma, nerve injury, pain reaction, animal movement, reaction to liquid injected

Advantages of IV administration?

Predictable drug concentration, immediate response, rapid onset, can give irritating drugs, rapid high blood levels

IV precautions?

Inject slowly, remove air bubbles, ensure sterility, monitor for extravasation, hematoma, intra-arterial injection, nerve injury, air embolism, septicemia

Common IV injection sites?

Dogs; cephalic, lateral saphenous; Cats: cephalic, medical saphenous; Jugular if catheter in place

Tourniquet precautions?

Used to visualize vein, remove quickly, improper use can harm

Advantages of oral (PO) medication?

Direct to GI tract, convenient, fewer adverse reactions, longer duration, slower onset, easy for owners to administer

How are oral meds administered?

Tablets, liquids, capsules; pill popper/pill gun; treats or food; water chasers; compounding pharmacies

What are common side effects of medications?

Pain at injection site, vomiting, GI upset, constipation, tissue damage (SC >5% dextrose), allergic reactions