{ Medical Review Doses and Terminology Part 3

 Intended for applying medication to the skin or mucous membrane  Good for dry skin or areas that need protection  Greasy and difficult to remove Ointment

 Moisturize the skin without being greasy  Easily rinsed off  Referred to as "vanishing creams" because they are translucent and leave the skin surface dry and non-tacky Creams

 Similar to creams  Typically, thinner in consistency to aid in covering a greater body area and areas heavily covered with hair Lotions

 Semi-solid system which contains very small particles of liquid medication  Application of gel results in dry surface  Easy to apply to body areas covered with hair Gels and Jellies

 Ointments to which a large quantity of insoluble solids have been added to make an ointment stiff  Relatively impermeable to water and create a good protective barrier for the skin  Ideal for diaper rash and similar conditions Pastes

 Contain various substances that give a heat- producing effect used for relief of pain of muscle aches Liniments

 Quick and easy way to apply topical medications  Medication is allowed to absorb from the tape into the skin  Improves absorption of the medication and provide a protective barrier Tape

 Hold medication in a reservoir designed to provide a continual supply of medication over a period of time  Medication is absorbed into the blood through the skin. Transdermal Patches

 Provide medication to the respiratory tract  Can be accomplished by using a metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer system  Medication travels through the air in very small particles or within tiny water droplets and lands on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to provide a therapeutic effect Aerosols

 Surgically placed subcutaneously to release medication over a long period of time  Surgically removed after the period of effectiveness. Implants

 Can be used to deliver medication to the oral cavity or systemically if the medication is absorbed through the oral mucosa  As the patient chews, the gum releases medication  Release can be controlled with special chewing patterns Chewing Gum

ADMINISTRATION DEVICES

 Deliver medication the respiratory tract  Can be difficult to use  Require coordination and timing to receive the maximum benefit Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)

 Deliver medication to the respiratory tract through a mouthpiece or mask  Attached to a source of compressed air that propels medication in the form of very fine particles or as tiny droplets to the respiratory tract Nebulizers

 Placed on inhaled medication canisters to improve a patient's administration technique  Available in a variety of shapes and sizes  Require a prescription from a physician Spacers

 Topical or systemic effects depending on the drug Nasal Sprays

 Allows patients to administer accurate doses of medication to the eye or ear easily  Most medications intended for this use are supplied with a dropper bottle, although it may need to be assembled  Eyedroppers must be sterile Eye/Ear Droppers

 Used most commonly to apply medication to the vaginal canal  Can be filled with creams or foams to be expelled into the vaginal canal Plunger Applicators

 Provide a convenient way to apply gels, lotions, and other topical dosage forms  A roller ball is placed on the top of a bottle to allow patients to apply topical medications without having to touch the medication with their hands Roll-On Applicators

 Available in various sizes and can administer a large variety of liquid medications. Size is based on three variables:  Volume the syringe can hold (e.g., 10cc)  Increments of the marking (e.g., 1/2cc)  Size of the needle, width, length (e.g., 29-gauge ½ inch needle)  In the ambulatory care setting, syringes are most commonly used for insulin injections by the patients with diabetes  Syringes are commonly used in the hospital setting  Oral or respiratory syringes must not be able to accept a needle Syringes

 Deliver parenteral medication at a specific rate Infusion Pumps