Introduction to

Pharmacology in
Nursing

Donna Penn RN MSN CNE.

• Nurses need to have
knowledge about the
actions and effects of
medications
• To safely and
accurately administer
medications nurses
need to have an
understanding of
pharmacologic
principles
Pharmacologic
Principles
 Chemical name
Drug Names • Describes the drug’s chemical
composition and molecular
structure
Generic name (nonproprietary
name)
• Name given by the United
States Adopted
Name Council
Trade name (proprietary name)
• The drug has a registered
trademark; use of the name
restricted by the drug’s patent
owner
(usually the manufacturer)
 Chemical name
Drug Names • (+/-)-2-(p-isobutylphenyl)
(cont'd) propionic acid

Generic name
• ibuprofen

Trade name
• Motrin®, Advil®
Figure 2-1 The chemical,
generic, and trade names
for the common
analgesic ibuprofen are
listed next to the
chemical structure of the
drug.
Pharmacological • Classification- Nurses learn
Concepts: to categorize meds with
Classification similar characteristics by
their class
• Medication classification
indicates the effect of the
med on the body system,
the symptom the med
relieves, or the med’s
desired effect (e.g. oral
hypoglycemics)
Pharmacological • A medication may also
Concepts: be part of more than
Classification
one class
• Aspirin is an analgesic,
antipyretic, anti-
inflammatory, and anti-
platelet
 • Medications are available
Pharmacological in a variety of forms and
Concepts: preparations
Medication • The form of the med will
Forms determine its route of
administration
• Composition of med is
designed to enhance its
absorption & metabolism
• Many meds are available in
several forms
 • Tablet
Medication Forms
• Capsule
• Elixir
• Enteric-coated
• Suppository
• Suspension
• Transdermal patch
Pharmacologic • Pharmaceutics
Principles • Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacotherapeutics
• Pharmacognosy
Pharmaceutics The study of how various
drug forms influence
pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic activities
Pharmacokinetics • The study of what the
body does to the drug
– Absorption
– Distribution
– Metabolism
– Excretion
Pharmacodynamics

• The study of what the

drug does to the body
– The mechanism of drug
actions in living tissues
Figure 2-2 Phases of Drug Activity. (From
McKenry LM, Salerno E: Mosby’s
pharmacology in nursing—revised and
updated, ed 21, St. Louis, 2003, Mosby.)
Pharmacotherapeutics

The use of drugs and the

clinical indications for
drugs to prevent and
treat diseases
Pharmacognosy The study of natural
(plant and animal) drug
sources
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption

• The rate at which a

drug leaves its site of
administration, and the
extent to which
absorption occurs
– Bioavailability
– Bioequivalent
Factors That
Affect Absorption
• Administration route of the
drug
• Ability of Med to Dissolve
• Food or fluids
administered with the drug
• Body Surface Area
• Status of the absorptive
surface
• Rate of blood flow to the
small intestine
• Lipid Solubility of Med
• Status of GI motility
Routes of • A drug’s route of
Administration administration affects
the rate and extent of
absorption of that drug
– Enteral (GI tract)
– Parenteral
– Topical
Enteral Route • Drug is absorbed into
the systemic circulation
through the oral or
gastric mucosa, the
small intestine, or
rectum
– Oral
– Sublingual
– Buccal
– Rectal
First-Pass Effect
• The metabolism of a drug and
its passage from the liver into
the circulation
– A drug given via the oral route
may be extensively metabolized
by the liver before reaching the
systemic circulation (high first-
pass effect)
– The same drug—given IV—
bypasses the liver, preventing
the first-pass effect from taking
place, and more drug reaches
the circulation
Box 2-1 Drug Routes and First-Pass Effects
Parenteral Route • Intravenous (fastest
delivery into the blood
circulation)
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Intrathecal
• Intraarticular
Topical Route • Skin (including
transdermal patches)
• Eyes
• Ears
• Nose
• Lungs (inhalation)
• Vagina
Distribution

The transport of a drug in the

body by the bloodstream to
its site of action
• Protein-binding
• Water soluble vs. fat soluble
• Blood-brain barrier
• Areas of rapid distribution:
heart, liver,
kidneys, brain
• Areas of slow distribution:
muscle, skin, fat
Metabolism
(Also Known As Biotransformation)

The biologic transformation

of a drug into
an inactive metabolite, a
more soluble compound, or a
more potent metabolite
• Liver (main organ)
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Plasma
• Intestinal mucosa
Metabolism/Biotransformation
(cont'd)
Delayed drug metabolism
results in:
• Accumulation of drugs
• Prolonged action of the
drugs
Stimulating drug
metabolism causes:
• Diminished pharmacologic
effects
Excretion The elimination of drugs
from the body
• Kidneys (main organ)
• Liver
• Bowel
– Biliary excretion
– Enterohepatic circulation
• 1. You are caring for a client who has diabetes complicated
by kidney disease. You will need to make a detailed assessment
when administering medications because this client may
experience problems with:
• A. Absorption
• B. Biotransformation
• C. Distribution
• D. Excretion

35 - 34
 • Study of the
Pharmacodynamics
mechanism of drug
actions in living tissue
• Drug-induced
alterations to normal
physiologic function
• Positive change-
Therapeutic effect-Goal
of therapy
 • Ways in which a drug
Mechanism of can produce a
Action therapeutic effect
• The effects that a
particular drug has
depends on the cells or
organ targeted by the
drug
• Once the drug hits its
“site of action” it can
modify the rate at
which a cell or tissue
functions
Mechanism of • Receptor Interaction
Action
• Enzyme Interaction

• Non-Specific
Interaction
 • Drug structure is essential
Receptor Interaction

• Involves the selective

joining of drug molecule
with a reactive site on the
cell surface that elicits a
biological effect

• Receptor is the reactive site

on a cell or tissue
• Once the substance binds
to and interacts with the
receptor, a pharmacologic
response is produced
 • Affinity- degree to which a
Receptor drug binds with a receptor
Interaction • The drug with the best “fit”
or affinity will elicit the
best response
• Drug can mimic body’s
endogenous substances
that normally bind to
receptor site
• Drugs that bind to
receptors interact with
receptors in different ways
to either block or elicit a
response
Receptor • Agonist-Drug binds to
Interaction receptor-there is a
response (Adrenergic
Agents)
• Antagonist-drug binds
to receptor-no
response-prevents
binding of agonists
(Alpha & Beta Blockers)
 • Enzymes are substances
Enzyme Interaction that catalyze nearly every
biochemical reaction in a
cell
• Drugs can interact with
enzyme systems to alter a
response
• Inhibits action of enzymes-
enzyme is “fooled” into
binding to drug instead of
target cell
• Protects target cell from
enzyme’s action (ACE
Inhibitors)
Non-Specific • Not involving a receptor
Interaction site or alteration in enzyme
function
• Main site of action is cell
membrane or cellular
process
• Drugs will physically
interfere or chemically alter
cell process
• Final product is altered
causing defect or cell death
• Cancer drugs, Antibiotics
 The nurse is giving a medication that has a
high first-pass effect. The physician has
changed the route from IV to PO. The nurse
expects the oral dose to be:

1. Higher because of the first-pass effect.

2. Lower because of the first-pass effect.
3. The same as the IV dose.
4. Unchanged.
. A patient is complaining of severe pain
and has orders for morphine sulfate. The
nurse knows that the route that would
give the slowest pain relief would be
which route?

1. IV
2. IM
3. SC
4. PO
Type of • Therapeutic Effect
Medication Action • Side Effects
• Adverse Effects
• Toxic Effect
• Idiosyncratic Reactions
• Allergic Reaction
• Medication Interactions
• Iatrogenic Response
 • The expected or
Therapeutic Effect
predictable
physiological response
a medication causes
• A single med can have
several therapeutic
effects (Aspirin)
• It is important for the
nurse to know why
med is being prescribed
 • Unintended secondary
Side Effects effects a medication
predictably will cause
• May be harmless or serious
• If side effects are serious
enough to negate the
beneficial effect of meds
therapeutic action, it may
be D/C’d
• People may stop taking
medications because of the
side effects
Adverse Effects • Undesirable response of a
medication
• Unexpected effects of drug
not related to therapeutic
effect
• Must be reported to FDA
• Can be a side effect or a
harmful effect
• Can be categorized as
pharmacologic,
idiosyncratic,
hypersensitivity, or drug
interaction
Adverse Effects • Adverse Drug Events

• Adverse Drug
Reactions (ADR)
 • May develop after
Toxic Effect
prolonged intake or when
a med accumulates in the
blood because of impaired
metabolism or excretion, or
excessive amount taken
• Toxic levels of opioids can
cause resp.depression
• Antidotes available to
reverse effects
Idiosyncratic • Unpredictable effects-
Reactions overreacts or under reacts
to a medication or has a
reaction different from
normal
• Genetically determined
abnormal response
• Idiosyncratic drug
reactions are usually
caused by abnormal levels
of drug-metabolizing
enzymes (deficiency or
overabundance)
 • Unpredictable response to
Allergic Reaction a medication
• Makes up greater than 10%
of all medication reactions
• Client may become
sensitized immunologically
to the initial dose, repeated
administration causes an
allergic response to the
med, chemical preservative
or a metabolite
 • Medication acts as an
Allergic Reaction antigen triggering the
release of the body’s
antibodies
• May be mild or severe
• Among the different
classes of meds, antibiotics
cause the highest incidence
of allergic reaction
• Severe reaction-
Anaphylactic reaction
• Mild reaction-hives, rash,
pruritis
• 2. A postoperative client is receiving morphine sulfate via a
PCA. The nurse assesses that the client’s respirations are
depressed. The effects of the morphine sulfate can be classified
as:
• A. Allergic
• B. Idiosyncratic
• C. Therapeutic
• D. Toxic

35 - 59
Other Drug • Teratogenic-Structural
Reactions effect in unborn fetus
(thalidomide)
• Carcinogenic-Causes
cancer
• Mutagenic- Changes
genetic composition
(radiation, chemicals)
 • Occurs when one med
Drug modifies the action of
Interactions another
• Common in people
taking several
medications at once
• One med may
potentiate or diminish
the action of another or
alter the way it is
absorbed, metabolized
or eliminated
• Warfarin and
Amiodarone
Iatrogenic • Unintentional adverse
effects that occur during
Responses therapy
• Treatment-Induced
Dermatologic-rash, hives,
acne
• Renal Damage-
Aminoglycoside
antibiotics, NSAIDS,
contrast medium
• Blood Dyscrasias-
Destruction of blood cells
(Chemotherapy)
• Hepatic Toxicity-Elevated
liver enzymes (hepatitis-
like symptoms)
Synergistic • Effect of 2 meds combined
is greater than the meds
Effect
given separately
• Alcohol & Antihistamines,
antidepressants,
barbiturates, narcotics
• Not always undesirable,
physician may combine
meds to create an
interaction that will have
beneficial effects
(Vasodilators & diuretics to
control high BP)
Medication Dose • Except when administered
IV, meds take time to enter
Responses bloodstream
• The quantity & distribution
of med in different body
compartments change
constantly
• Goal is to keep constant
blood level within a safe
therapeutic range
• Repeated doses are
required to achieve a
constant therapeutic
concentration of a med
because a portion of med is
always being excreted
Medication Dose • Serum Half-Life:Time it
Responses takes for excretion
processes to lower the
serum medication
concentration by ½
• Regular fixed doses must
be given to maintain
therapeutic concentration
• Dosage schedules set by
institutions (TID, q8h, HS,
AC, STAT, PRN)
• Peak & Trough levels
• Therapeutic drug
monitoring
Half-life • The time it takes for one
half of the original amount
of a drug in the body to be
removed
• A measure of the rate at
which drugs are removed
from the body
Onset, Peak, and
Duration
Onset
• The time it takes for the drug
to elicit a
therapeutic response
Peak
• The time it takes for a drug
to reach its maximum
therapeutic response
Duration
• The time a drug
concentration is sufficient to
elicit a therapeutic response
Pharmacotherapeutics: Types of
Therapies
• Acute therapy
• Maintenance therapy
• Supplemental therapy
• Palliative therapy
• Supportive therapy
• Prophylactic therapy
• Empiric therapy
Monitoring • The effectiveness of the
drug therapy must be
evaluated
• One must be familiar
with the drug’s:
– Intended therapeutic
action (beneficial)
– Unintended but
potential side effects
(predictable, adverse
reactions)
Monitoring • Therapeutic index
(cont'd) – The ratio between a
drug’s therapeutic
benefits and its toxic
effects
Monitoring • Tolerance
(cont'd) – A decreasing response
to repetitive drug doses
Monitoring • Dependence
(cont'd) – A physiologic or
psychological need for a
drug
Monitoring Interactions may occur
(cont'd) with other drugs or food
• Drug interactions: the
alteration of action of
a drug by:
– Other prescribed drugs
– Over-the-counter
medications
– Herbal therapies
Monitoring • Drug interactions
(cont'd) – Additive effect
– Synergistic effect
– Antagonistic effect
– Incompatibility
Monitoring • Medication
(cont'd) misadventures
– Adverse drug events
– Adverse drug reactions
– Medication errors
Monitoring Some adverse drug
(cont'd) reactions are classified
as side effects
• Expected, well-known
reactions that result in little
or no change in patient
management
• Predictable frequency
• The effect’s intensity and
occurrence are related to
the size of the dose
Adverse Drug An adverse outcome of
Reaction drug therapy in which
a patient is harmed in
some way
• Pharmacologic reactions
• Idiosyncratic reactions
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Drug interactions
Other Drug- • Teratogenic
Related Effects • Mutagenic
• Carcinogenic
Toxicology The study of poisons
and unwanted
responses to
therapeutic agents
Table 2-9 Common
Poisons and Antidotes
The Nursing
Process (cont'd)
• Assessment
• Nursing diagnosis
• Planning (with outcome
criteria)
• Implementation
• Evaluation
The Nursing • An organizational
Process framework for the
practice of nursing
• Orderly, systematic
• Central to all nursing
care
• Encompasses all steps
taken by the nurse in
caring for a patient
• Flexibility is important
The Nursing Assessment
Process (cont'd)
• Data collection
– Subjective, objective
– Data collected on the patient,
drug, environment
• Medication history
• Nursing assessment
• Physical assessment
• Data analysis
The Nursing Nursing diagnosis
Process (cont'd)
• Judgment or conclusion
about the
need/problem (actual
or at risk for) of the
patient
• Based upon an accurate
assessment
• NANDA format
The Nursing Planning
Process (cont'd)
• Identification of goals
and outcome criteria
• Prioritization
• Time frame
The Nursing Goals
Process (cont'd)
• Objective, measurable,
realistic
• Time frame specified
Outcome criteria
• Specific standard(s) of
measure
• Patient oriented
The Nursing
Process (cont'd) Implementation
• Initiation and completion
of the nursing care plan
as defined by the nursing
diagnoses and outcome
criteria
• Follow the “five rights” of
medication
administration
The “Five
Rights”
• Right drug
• Right dose
• Right time
• Right route
• Right patient
Another “Right”—Constant
System Analysis
• A “double-check”
• The entire “system” of
medication
administration
• Ordering, dispensing,
preparing, administering,
documenting
• Involves the physician,
nurse, nursing unit,
pharmacy department,
and patient education
Other “Rights” • Proper drug storage
• Proper documentation
• Accurate dosage
calculation
• Accurate dosage
preparation
• Careful checking of
transcription of orders
• Patient safety
Other “Rights” • Close consideration of
(cont'd) special situations
• Prevention and
reporting of medication
errors
• Patient teaching
• Monitoring for
therapeutic effects, side
effects, toxic effects
• Refusal of medication
Evaluation • Ongoing part of the
nursing process
• Determining the status
of the goals and
outcomes of care
• Monitoring the
patient’s response to
drug therapy
– Expected and
unexpected responses
 The day shift charge nurse is making rounds. A
patient tells the nurse that the night shift nurse
never gave him his medication, which was due at
11 PM. What should the nurse do first to
determine whether the medication was given?

1. Call the night nurse at home.

2. Check the Medication Administration Record.
3. Call the pharmacy.
4. Review the nurse’s notes.
 The patient’s Medication Administration Record
lists two antiepileptic medications that are due at
0900, but the patient is NPO for a barium study.
The nurse’s coworker suggests giving the
medications via IV because the patient is NPO.
What should the nurse do?

1. Give the medications PO with a small sip of water.

2. Give the medications via the IV route because the
patient is NPO.
3. Hold the medications until after the test is
completed.
4. Call the physician to clarify the instructions.
Life Span
Considerations
Life Span • Pregnancy
Considerations • Breast-feeding
• Neonatal
• Pediatric
• Geriatric
Pregnancy • First trimester is the
period of greatest
danger for drug-
induced developmental
defects
• Drugs diffuse across the
placenta
• FDA pregnancy safety
categories
Table 3-1
Pregnancy safety
categories
Breast-feeding • Breast-fed infants are at
risk for exposure to
drugs consumed by the
mother
• Consider risk-to-benefit
ratio
Table 3-2 Classification of
young patients
Pediatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics
• Absorption
– Gastric pH less acidic
– Gastric emptying is
slowed
– Topical absorption faster
through the skin
– Intramuscular
absorption faster and
irregular
Pediatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)
• Distribution
– TBW 70% to 80% in full-
term infants, 85% in
premature newborns, 64%
in children 1 to 12 years
of age
– Greater TBW means fat
content is lower
– Decreased level of protein
binding
– Immature blood-brain
barrier
Pediatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)
• Metabolism
– Liver immature, does
not produce enough
microsomal enzymes
– Older children may have
increased metabolism,
requiring higher doses
– Other factors
Pediatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)

• Excretion
– Kidney immaturity
affects glomerular
filtration rate and
tubular secretion
– Decreased perfusion rate
of the kidneys
Summary of Pediatric
Considerations
• Skin is thin and permeable
• Stomach lacks acid to kill
bacteria
• Lungs lack mucus barriers
• Body temperatures poorly
regulated and dehydration
occurs easily
• Liver and kidneys are
immature, impairing drug
metabolism and excretion
Methods of Dosage Calculation
for Pediatric Patients
• Body weight dosage
calculations

• Body surface area

method
Geriatric • Geriatric: older than
Considerations age 65
– Healthy People 2010:
older than age 55
• Use of OTC
medications
• Polypharmacy
Table 3-4 Physiologic changes in the geriatric
patient
Geriatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics
• Absorption
– Gastric pH less acidic
– Slowed gastric emptying
– Movement through GI
tract slower
– Reduced blood flow to the
GI tract
– Reduced absorptive
surface area due to
flattened intestinal villi
Geriatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)

• Distribution
– TBW percentages lower
– Fat content increased
– Decreased production of
proteins by the liver,
resulting in decreased
protein binding of drugs
Geriatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)

• Metabolism
– Aging liver produces
less microsomal
enzymes, affecting drug
metabolism
– Reduced blood flow to
the liver
Geriatric Considerations:
Pharmacokinetics (cont'd)
• Excretion
– Decreased glomerular
filtration rate
– Decreased number of
intact nephrons
Geriatric Considerations: Problematic
Medications
• Analgesics
• Anticoagulants
• Anticholinergics
• Antihypertensives
• Digoxin
• Sedatives and
hypnotics
• Thiazide diuretics
Legal, Ethical,
and Cultural
Considerations
U.S. Drug • 1906: Federal Food and
Legislation Drug Act
• 1912: Sherley
Amendment (to the
Federal Food and Drug
Act of 1906)
• 1914: Harrison Narcotic
Act
• 1938: Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(revision of 1906 Act)
U.S. Drug
Legislation (cont'd)
• 1951: Durham-
Humphrey
Amendment (to the
1938 act)
• 1962: Kefauver-Harris
Amendment (to the
1938 act)
• 1970: Controlled
Substance Act
U.S. Drug
Legislation (cont'd)
• 1983: Orphan Drug Act

• 1991: Accelerated drug

approval
New Drug • Investigational new
Development drug (IND) application
• Informed consent
• Investigational drug
studies
• Expedited drug
approval
U.S. FDA Drug
Approval Process • Preclinical
investigational drug
studies
• Clinical phases of
investigational drug
studies
– Phase I
– Phase II
– Phase III
– Phase IV
Ethical Nursing • American Nurses
Practice Association (ANA)
Code of Ethics for
Nurses
Cultural
Considerations
• Assess the influence of a
patient’s cultural beliefs,
values, and customs
• Drug polymorphism
• Compliance level with
therapy
• Environmental
considerations
• Genetic factors
• Varying responses to
specific agents
Cultural • Health beliefs and
Assessment practices
• Past uses of medicine
• Folk remedies
• Home remedies
• Use of nonprescription
drugs and herbal
remedies
• OTC treatments
Cultural
Assessment (cont'd)
• Usual response to
treatment
• Responsiveness to
medical treatment
• Religious practices and
beliefs
• Dietary habits
Medication
Errors:
Preventing
and
Responding
Medication • Medication errors
Misadventures (MEs)
• Adverse drug events
(ADEs)
• Adverse drug reactions
(ADRs)
Medication
Misadventures (cont'd)

• By definition, all ADRs

are also ADEs
• But all ADEs are not
ADRs
• Two types of ADRs
– Allergic reactions
– Idiosyncratic reactions
Medication Errors

• Preventable
• Common cause of
adverse health care
outcomes
• Effects can range from no
significant effect to
directly causing disability
or death
Box 5-1 Common classes of medications
involved in serious errors
Preventing
Medication Errors

• Minimize verbal or
telephone orders
– Repeat order to prescriber
– Spell drug name aloud
– Speak slowly and clearly
• List indication next to
each order
• Avoid medical shorthand,
including abbreviations
and acronyms
Preventing
Medication Errors
(cont'd)
• Never assume anything
about items not specified in
a drug order (i.e., route)
• Do not hesitate to question
a medication order for any
reason when in doubt
• Do not try to decipher
illegibly written orders;
contact prescriber for
clarification
Preventing Medication
Errors (cont'd)
• NEVER use “trailing
zeros” with medication
orders
• Do not use 1.0 mg; use
1 mg
• 1.0 mg could be
misread as 10 mg,
resulting in a tenfold
dose increase
Preventing
Medication Errors
(cont'd) • ALWAYS use a
“leading zero” for
decimal dosages
• Do not use .25 mg; use
0.25 mg
• .25 mg may be misread
as 25 mg
• “.25” is sometimes
called a “naked
decimal”
Preventing Medication
Errors (cont'd)
• Check medication order
and what is available
while using the “5 rights”

• Take time to learn special

administration
techniques of certain
dosage forms
Preventing
Medication Errors • Always listen to and
(cont'd)
honor any concerns
expressed by patients
regarding medications

• Check patient allergies

and identification

• Medication
Reconciliation
Medication Errors
• Possible consequences to
nurses
• Reporting and responding to
MEs
– ADE monitoring programs
– USPMERP (United States
Pharmacopeia Medication
Errors Reporting Program)
– MedWatch, sponsored by the
FDA
– Institute for Safe Medication
Practices (ISMP)
• Notification of patient
regarding MEs
• 3. Nurses are legally required to document medications that
are administered to clients. The nurse is mandated to document:
• A. Medication before administering it
• B. Medication after administering it
• C. Rationale for administering the medication
• D. Prescriber’s rationale for prescribing the medication

35 - 138
• 4. If a nurse experiences a problem reading a physician’s
medication order, the most appropriate action will be to:
• A. Call the physician to verify the order.
• B. Call the pharmacist to verify the order.
• C. Consult with other nursing staff to verify the order.
• D. Withhold the medication until the physician makes
rounds.

35 - 139
Medication
Administration
Preparing for Drug
Administration

• Check the “5 rights”

• Standard Precautions:
Wash your hands!
• Double-check if unsure
about anything
• Check for drug allergies
• Prepare drugs for one
patient at a time
• Check three times
Preparing for Drug
Administration
(cont'd)
• Check expiration dates
• Check the patient’s
identification
• Give medications on time
• Explain medications to the
patient
• Open the medications at
the bedside
• Document the medications
given before going to the
next patient
Drug Routes & • First Pass Routes- Oral,
First Pass Effects Rectal

• Non-First Pass Routes-

Aural, Buccal, Inhaled,
Intraarterial,
Intramuscular,
Intranasal, Intraocular,
Vaginal, Intravenous,
Subcutaneous,
Sublingual,
Transdermal
 • Easiest, most
Oral Route commonly used
• Slower onset of action
• More prolonged effect
• Preferred by clients
• Sublingual
Administration
• Buccal Administration
Enteral
Drugs • Giving oral medications
• Giving sublingual or buccal
medications
• Liquid medications
• Giving oral medications to
infants
• Administering drugs
through a nasogastric or
gastrostomy tube
• Rectal administration
Parenteral Route Injecting a medication
into body tissues
• Subcutaneous (SQ)
• Intramuscular (IM)
• Intravenous (IV)
• Intradermal (ID)
• Advanced techniques
Parenteral • Never recap a used
needle!
Drugs
• May recap an unused
needle with the “scoop
method”

• Prevention of
needlesticks

• Filter needles
Parenteral • Removing medications
Drugs from ampules
(cont'd)
• Removing medications
from vials

• Disposal of used
needles and syringes
 • Needle angles for
Injections various injections
– Intramuscular (IM)
– Subcutaneous (SC or SQ)
– Intradermal (ID)

• Z-track method for IM

injections

• Air-lock technique
Injection • Intradermal injections
Techniques
• Subcutaneous injections
– Insulin administration
– Heparin administration
Injection • Intramuscular
injections
Techniques – Ventrogluteal site
(cont'd) (preferred)
– Vastus lateralis site
– Dorsogluteal site
– Deltoid site
Preparing
Intravenous
Medications • Needleless systems
• Compatibility issues
• Expiration dates
• Mixing intravenous
piggyback (IVPB)
medications
• Labeling intravenous (IV)
infusion bags when
adding medications
Intravenous
Medications • Adding medications to a
primary infusion bag

• IVPB medications
(secondary line)

• IV push medications
(bolus)
– Through an IV lock
– Through an existing IV
infusion
Intravenous
Medications
(cont'd) • Volume-controlled
administration set

• Using electronic
infusion pumps

• Patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) pumps
Topical
Drugs
• Eye medications
– Drops
– Ointments

• Ear drops
– Adults
– Infant or child younger
than 3 years of age
Topical • Nasal drugs
– Drops
Drugs
– Spray
(cont'd)
• Inhaled drugs
– Metered-dose inhalers
– Small-volume nebulizers
Topical • Administering
medications to the skin
Drugs – Lotions, creams,
(cont'd) ointments, powders
– Transdermal patches

• Vaginal medications
– Creams, foams, gels
– Suppositories