Pharmacology

Mrs. Holmes

Chapter 4- Medication Preparations and Supplies

Pharmacology

Chapter 4- Medication Preparations and

Supplies

Oral Drug Forms

• Tablet– Disc of

compressed drug– May be in a

variety of shapes and colors

– May be coated or “scored”

Why would they be coated?

Why would they be scored?

Oral Drug Forms• Enteric Coated Tablet

–Tablet with a special coating that resists disintegration by gastric juices • the coating dissolves further down the GI tract in the enteric or intestinal region

• Ex. Aspirin–Note” Do not crush or chew when

administered.

Oral Drug Forms

• Drug is contained within a gelatin-type container

• easier to swallow• double chamber may be pulled apart to allow

the drug powder to be put into sot foods or beverages for patients who cannot swallow the pill. *note: sometimes this is contraindicated for absorption

Why?

Capsule

Oral Drug FormsOther Oral Drug Forms

Timed release capsule (sometimes called sustained

release)•Drug particles have various coatings (often of different

colors)•Different parts dissolve at

different times•Must be swallowed whole, with no

physical damage to the capsule

Lozenge

o Also called a trocheo Contains “good

tasting” flavoring and sometimes a local

anesthetic for soothing irritation in the throat or mouth

o Dissolves- not to be swallowed

o Patient should not drink liquids for

approximately 15 minutes after

administration to prevent washing away

the medicine

Suspension

• Liquid form of medication• Must be shaken WELL before administration because the drug particles settle to the bottom (the drug is not DISSOLVED but SUSPENDED in the liquid)

Emulsion

Oils and Fats in water

SHAKE WELL!pour

immediately after

shaking

Elixir

• Liquid Drug forms with ALCOHOL

base• Need tight capping

to prevent evaporation of the

alcohol• Do not make

available for alcoholics

Solution

Clear because the solute is completely dissolved in the liquid

Syrup• Sweetened,

flavored liquid drug

form. • Cherry

syrup drug preparation

s are common for

children.

Rectal Drug Forms

Suppository

Enema Solution

• Note: While the rectal route is often not the preferred route for the patient, it is sometime necessary due to age, vomiting, NPO orders, inability to swallow, etc

Injectable Drug Forms

• Solution- this is different from an oral solution– Waterlike solutions are called “aqueous”– Oil based solutions have long absorption

times and often patients say they are more painful injections because of the thick, viscous nature.

…more injectible drug forms

• Powder- obviously we don’t inject a dry powder but mix it with a sterile solution to

RECONSTITUTE it.Why would a drug come in this form?

IV push, IV drip, IV “piggyback”• What’s the difference

between these?• Intravenous- injected directly

into a vein. Is this good or bad?– YES! This means that the drug

gets into the patient’s system really fast BUT if a mistake has been made, the patient reacts almost immediately.

– Piggy back- this is really the term. The second medication “piggy backs” into the line for the IV fluid.

IV Push

IV PB or Drip

IM, subQ, and ID

Intramuscular- 90 degrees, slower

absorption

Subcutaneous- 45 degrees

Intradermal- 15 degrees

Ex TB test

Now for the really funky ones!

Epidural

Intracapsular

Guide for

intraspinal injection

On to another TOPIC (lol)

Topical drugs– Cream or ointment

– Lotion– Liniment

– Dermal patch– Eye,ear, and nose drops (gtt)

– Eye ointment– Vaginal creams

– Rectal, vaginal, and urethral suppositories– Douche solutions

– Buccal tablet (rarely used)– Sublingual tablet

Inhalable drugs• Spray or mist via bottles, nebulizers,

or metered dose inhalers• Gas

Two types of nebulizers- aerosolize

medicine for inhalation

Metered Dose Inhaler

like your asthma puffer

Anesthesia gas

Preparation supplies

• Medicine cup• Metal pill crusher• Mortar and pestle

• Ampule• Vial

• Needles• Syringes

Safety

• OSHA mandates that every effort must be made to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries that could lead to exposure to bloodborne pathogens

– Safety needles– Needleless devices

Quiz time!What

route is used most often and

why?