Recording-2025-02-12T13:35:23.675Z

Oral Liquid Medications

• Forms of Oral Liquids

  • Solutions: Homogeneous mixtures where active ingredients are fully dissolved in a liquid.

    • Example: Electrolyte powders or beverages where powder dissolves in water.

  • Suspensions: Mixtures where active ingredients are not fully dissolved, and small particles are visible.

    • Example: Cough syrups (e.g., co pox) that contain sugar creating a thick consistency.

    • Important to shake well before use to ensure that the medication is evenly distributed.

Key Differences Between Solutions and Suspensions

• Solutions:

  • Fully dissolved particles, resulting in no visibility and uniform distribution.

• Suspensions:

  • Particles remain visible and require mixing to avoid settling.

  • Users must shake well to ensure correct dosage, as settling may lead to inaccurate measurements.

Measuring Liquid Medications

• Dosage Calculation:

  • Important to use accurate measuring tools (oral syringes or medicine cups) for dosages.

  • Avoid estimating measurements to ensure precision in medication administration, as mistakes can lead to dosing errors.

  • Example: Measuring 10.5 mL with an oral syringe is more accurate than estimating.

Importance of Measurement in Dispensing

• Mathematical Calculations:

  • If a patient is directed to take 10 mL every 6 hours, calculate daily intake (40 mL/day).

    • Utilize this to determine how long a total quantity (e.g., 200 mL) will last.

  • Set up the equation to find out the days supply:

    • Calculation:

      • Total mL dispensed / Daily intake mL = Days supply

  • Example:

    • For 200 mL with 40 mL daily:

      • 200 / 40 = 5 days

Guidelines for Patient Instructions

• Directions should clearly state the required measurements and dosage intervals.

• Example Instruction: "Take 10 mL every 6 hours as needed."

• Concentration Example:

  • Visualize dosages: If concentration is 3 mg, and patient needs 30 mg, ensure calculations reflect necessary increase.

• Precision in documentation is essential; use appropriate decimal places based on volume (e.g., one decimal place for more than one mL).

Dispensing Quantities

• When measuring less than 1 mL, use appropriate syringes to ensure accurate dosing.

• Rounding rules: If total dispensed quantity ends with .5, rounded up to nearest whole number.

• Use graduated cylinders for precise measurements when necessary.

Accuracy in Prescription Practices

• Patients should be instructed on the importance of dosage accuracy and the proper method of measurement for liquid medications to prevent errors and ensure effective treatment.