Pharmacology Flashcards Quiz 1 (Day 2)

14 items to memorize for day 2

15) Name 9 routes of drug administration and their medical abbreviations

• Oral (PO)

• Sublingual

• Rectal (PR)

• Inhalation

• Topical

• Transdermal

• Intravenous (IV)

• Intramuscular (IM)

• Subcutaneous (SubQ or SC)

16) Which 5 routes of administration are most compatible with drugs that are self-administered?

Oral (PO), sublingual, inhalation, topical, transdermal

17) What two problems must oral drugs be able to overcome? 

Gastric acidity and must permeate the gut lining

18) Oral drugs are affected by what two things? 

Gastric emptying and intestinal motility

19) What is the key feature that allows a drug to be administered by the sublingual route?

Must have good absorption through the capillary bed under the tongue.

20) What is the advantage of sublingual drugs over oral drugs?

Gastric acidity and gut-permeability are not needed.

21)  When are rectal drugs mainly used? 

For unconscious or vomiting patients or small children.

22) What is the problem with the rectal route? 

Absorption is unreliable

23) Can topical drugs be administered systematically? 

No, they are usually toxic except for topical use

24) Topical agents can be applied to what parts of the body? 

Skin, eyes, nose, vagina, ears

25) What is a transdermal patch?

The drug is on a patch that is applied to the skin, and it is able to penetrate to the dermis to be absorbed in the blood vessels there. Few drugs are capable of using this route.

26) What does “parenteral” refer to?

Drugs that are administered in ways other than the gastro-intestinal tract.

27) What are the 3 advantages of parenteral drugs?

• More rapid absorption

• More predictable absorption

• More accurate dose selection

28) What are the 4 disadvantages of parenteral drugs?

• Need for strict asepsis

• Risk of infection

• Pain

• Local irritation