Chapter 21 Administration Of Drugs

Front 1

Oral administration

Back 1

Drugs given by mouth are slowly absored into the bloodstream through the stomach or intestinal wall. It is also a disadvantage if time is a factor in therapy in that it takes several hours to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Front 2

Sublingual Administration

Back 2

Drugs placed under the tongue dissolves in the salvia. For some agents, absorption may be rapid. Nitroylycerin tablets are administered in this way to treat attacks of angina (chest pain).

Front 3

Rectal Administration

Back 3

Suppositories (cone-shaped objects containing drugs) and aqueous solutions are inserted into the rectum. Drugs are given by rectum when oral administration presents difficulties, as when the patient is nauseated and vomiting.

Front 4

Parenteral Administration

Back 4

Injections of drug from a syringe (tube) through a hollow needle placed under the skin, into a muscle, vein, or body cavity. There are several types of parenteral injections and instillations.

Front 5

Intravacity instillation

Back 5

This injection is made into a body cavity, such as the peritoneal or pleural cavity. For example, drugs may be introduced into the pleural cavity in people who have pleural effusions due to malignant disease.

Front 6

pleurodesis (procedure)

Back 6

The drug causes the pleural surfaces to adhere, thereby oblitering the pleural space and preventing the accumulation of fluid (procedure).

Front 7

intradermal injection

Back 7

This shallow injection is made into the upper layers of the skin and is used chiefly in skin testing for allergic reactions.

Front 8

subcutaneous (hypodermic) injection (SC)

Back 8

A hypodermic needle is introduced into the subcutaneous tissue under the skin, usually on the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

Front 9

intramuscular injection (IM)

Back 9

The buttock or upper arm is the usual site for this injection into muscle. When drugs are irritating to the skin or when a large volume of solution must be administered, IM injections are used.

Front 10

intrathecal instillation

Back 10

This instillation occurs in the space under the membranes (meninges) surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Methotrexate (a cancer chemotherapeutic drug) is introduced intrathecally for treatment of leukemia involving the spinal cord.

Front 11

Intravenous injection (IV)

Back 11

This injection is given directly into a vein. It is used when an immediate effect from the drug is desired or when the drug cannot be safely introduced into other tissues. Good technical skill is needed with intravenous injections because leakage of a drug into surrounding tissues may result in irritation and inflammation.

Front 12

antiseptics

Back 12

drug used against infection

Front 13

antipruritics

Back 13

drug used against itching

Front 14

transdermal patches

Back 14

are used to deliver drugs (such as estrogen for home replacement therapy, pain medications, and nicotine for smoking cessation programs) continuously through the skin.

Front 15

hypodermic syringe

Back 15

used for giving an injection

Front 16

ampule

Back 16

small, steril glass or plastic container containing a single dose of drug.

Front 17

vial

Back 17

glass container with a metal-enclosed rubber seal.

Front 18

caplets

Back 18

coated like a capsule, but solid like a tablet.

Front 19

capsules

Back 19

small soluable container, usually made of gelatin, used for a dose of medication for swallowing.

Front 20

tablets

Back 20

small solid pill containing a dose of medication