medications

pharmacology

study of how drugs affect body

chemical name

precise description of drug's chemical composition

generic name

identifies drug's active ingredient. is assigned by company that first develops drug.

official name

name drug is identified in official publications. is often generic name.

trade name

brand name or proprietary name.

pharmacokinetics

movement of drug in the body in relation to drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.

absorption

process by which drug is transferred from site of entry to the bloodstream.

distribution

after drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is distributed

metabolism

or biotransformation. change of drug from original form to a new form. liver is primary site for drug metabolism.

excretion

process of removing a drug, or its metabolites (products of metabolism), from the body. kidneys excrete most drugs.

pharmacodynamics

process of how drugs alter cells.

anaphylaxis

most serious allergic effect that is life threatening. results in respiratory distress, sudden severe bronchospasm and cardiovascular collapse. treated with vasopressors, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, iv fluids and antihistamines.

3 checks

when obtain container or unit dose package.
after obtain or before prep.
when returning container or before administration.

5 rights

right med
right pt
right dose
right route
right time

lipid solubility

cell membranes have a fatty acid layer. drug that is more lipid soluble can be absorbed more readily and pass more easily through the cell membrane.

the ___ the gauge,
the ___ the diameter

larger
smaller

what kind of syringe for solution volume < 0.5 mL?

tuberculin syringe

what are uses of intradermal injection?

tuberculin testing
checking for med/allergy sensitivities
may be for some cancer immunotherapy

intradermal equipment
amt of solution
syringe type
gauge type

small amt (0.01 to 0.1 mL)
tuberculin syringe
fine-gauge needle (26 to 27)

intradermal injection
site and technique

lightly pigmented, thin-skinned, hairless site
10 to 15 degree angle

what are uses of subcutaneous injection?

small doses of nonirritating, water-soluble med
commonly used for insulin and heparin

subcutaneous equipment
amt of solution
syringe type
gauge type

no more than 1.5 mL solution
can be 26 to 29 gauge for insulin
short, fine-gauge needle (3/8 to 5/8 inch, 25 to 27 gauge)

subcutaneous injection
site and technique

adequate fat-pad site (abdomen, upper hips/arms, thighs)
45 to 90 degree angle
poss aspiration per facility protocol

what are uses of intramuscular injection?

irritating medications
solutions in oil
aqueous suspensions
often used for med that cause visible and/or permanent skin stains such as certain iron preparations

intramuscular equipment
amt of solution
syringe type
gauge type

usually 1 to 3 mL
if greater amt, divide into 2 syringes into 2 diff sites
needle size 18 to 27 (20 to 25 gauge) 1 to 1 1/2" long

intramuscular injection
site and technique

ventrogluteal, dorsogluteal, deltoid and vastus lateralis (pediatric)
aspirate. if there is blood return, discard and prepare new med
z track technique to prevent med from leaking back into subcutaneous tiss

what are uses of intravenous injection?

administration of med, fluid and blood products
can be short-term (catheters) or long-term (infusion ports)

intravenous equipment
gauge

16 gauge for trauma pt
18 gauge for surgical pt
22 to 24 gauge for kids, older adults, medical pt and stable postoperative clients

intravenous injection
site and technique

peripheral vein in arm or hand
in newborn, veins of head, lower leg and feet

what are uses of epidural injection?

administration of iv opioid analgesia

epidural equipment

infusion pump necessary

epidural injection
site and technique

catheter is advanced through the needle that is inserted into the epidural space at the level of the 4th or 5th vertebrae.