Nursing Skills: Enteral and Non-Parenteral Medication Administration

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terminology, administration routes, prescription orders, and core safety procedures from Nursing Skills 2e, Chapters 15.1–15.2.

Enteral

Relating to the intestines; encompasses oral (PO), rectal (PR), and administration directly into the gastrointestinal tract through NG, NI, PEG, or J-tubes.

Sublingual (SL)

A route of administration where medication is placed under the tongue to dissolve completely in the oral mucosa rather than being chewed or swallowed.

Buccal

A route of administration where medication is placed between the cheek and gum to dissolve in the oral mucosa rather than being chewed or swallowed.

Rectal (PR)

A route of administration used for local gastrointestinal effects or systemic delivery when oral intake is unsuitable; contraindicated in cases of recent rectal/bowel surgery, bleeding, prolapse, low platelets, or cardiac arrhythmia history.

Routine Order

A medication order that continues on a scheduled basis until explicitly cancelled by a prescriber.

PRN Order

A medication order administered as needed for a specified indication, strictly respecting the prescribed minimum time interval and the time of the previous dose.

Standing Order / Protocol

A standardized medication order established for clearly defined clinical circumstances within an institutional framework.

One-time Order

A medication order designated to be administered once only.

STAT Order

An urgent, one-time prescription requiring immediate administration without delay.

Titration

The systematic adjustment (increase or decrease) of a medication dose according to defined objective response parameters, requiring a defined starting rate, increment, interval, and maximum.

ATC (Around the Clock)

Medication administration scheduled at continuous, regular intervals throughout the day and night to maintain a steady therapeutic effect.

MAR / eMAR

Medication Administration Record / Electronic Medication Administration Record; the legal record used to document prescribed orders and actual drug administrations.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which presents a significant aspiration risk and contraindicates conventional oral administration pending clinical evaluation.

NPO

Nothing by mouth; a clinical directive requiring explicit verification to determine whether oral medications should be held or administered.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, frequently involving complex administration schedules and heightened interaction risks.

High-Alert Medication

A drug classification bearing a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm if administered in error.

Drug Diversion

The unauthorized or illegal redirection of prescription medication for a purpose other than its intended therapeutic use.

Three Checks

The core medication safety procedure performed: 1) upon removing the medication from storage, 2) after removal before pouring or dispensing, and 3) immediately at the bedside prior to administration.

Vasovagal Response

A systemic reaction triggered by stimulation of the vagal nerve during rectal procedures, causing abrupt decreases in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to dizziness, diaphoresis, syncope, or seizure-like events.

Enema

The instillation of a liquid solution into the rectum to promote bowel evacuation, deliver medication, or cleanse the lower bowel.

Enteric Coating

A specialized barrier coating applied to oral medications to prevent dissolution in the stomach and release the active drug in the intestine; must never be crushed.