Reported by: Toni Marie Paner

Definition:
Oral medication administration is the

process by which drugs are delivered by mouth through the alimentary tract.

Purpose:
Drugs are taken by this route because

of convenience, absorption of the drug, ease of use, and cost containment. It is, therefore, the most common method used.

Precaution:
Other routes are used when a person cannot take

anything by mouth, or the drug is poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. The nurse should check whether the patient has any known allergies. It is useful to remember the following checks when administering any medication: the right patient, the right medicine, the right route, the right dose, the right site, and the right time.

Description:
Oral drugs are can be prescribed to be

taken at different intervals, either before or after food. They can be in either liquid or solid form. Questions about the frequency with which drugs should be taken should be addressed to the primary health care provider.

Preparation
Wash Hands.

The patient's order sheet should be checked to ensure that

the dose has not already been given. Once that is confirmed, the correct drug and dose should be selected. The appropriate number of pills should be shaken onto the lid of their container and dropped into a small measuring cup to hand to the patient. If the medication is liquid, the bottle should be shaken, the cap removed, and the bottle held at eye level with the label turned upwards, to prevent staining. The correct dose should be poured into a measuring cup.

 The patient should be informed that his or her doctor

has prescribed some medicine for him or her. The nurse should check the drug and dose against the patient's prescription chart again, then confirm the patient's name by asking her/his full name. The drug can then be handed to the patient, who should also be offered a drink of water to aid in swallowing pills. After ensuring that the drug has been taken, the nurse should record the time and the dose that has been given.

Definition:
Eye drops are saline-containing drops used as

a ocular route to administer. Depending on the condition being treated, they may contain steroids, antihistamines, sympathomimetics, b eta receptor blockers, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, prostaglandins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or topical anesthetics. Eye drops have less of a risk of side effects than do oral medicines, and such risk can be minimized by occluding the lacrimal punctum, (i.e. pressing on the inner corner of the eye) for a short while after instilling drops.

How to use your eye drops?

If your eye drops are a suspension, the label will remind you

to shake the bottle before using the drops. Wash your hands. Sit in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing. Wipe your eyes with a clean tissue to clear any residual wateriness or discharge. Take the lid off the bottle. Tip your head back. Hold the dropper or bottle above the eye and gently squeeze one drop onto the inside of the lower eyelid, taking care not to touch the eye or eyelashes with the dropper or bottle.

 Blink your eyes so the liquid spreads over the surface of

the eyeball. Wipe away any excess liquid with a clean tissue. Repeat this procedure for the other eye if you have been advised to do so by your doctor or pharmacist. Replace the lid of the bottle. Take care not to touch the tip of the bottle or dropper with your fingers. If the dropper is separate don't put it down on any surface. If you have more than one drop to put in, or are using more than one type of eye drop, wait about five minutes before putting the next drop in. This ensures the second drop won't wash away the first.

Definition:
Rectal medicines are medications prepared specifically

for insertion into the rectum. They are compounded in many forms. Liquid rectal medicine solutions are given by enema. Creams, lotions and ointments are applied externally or inserted internally using an applicator. Suppositories are prepared by mixing medicine with a wax-like substance to form a semi-solid, bullet-shaped form that will melt after insertion into the rectum

Purpose:
Rectal medications are administered for a localized effect

on the rectum or for a systemic effect when a patient is vomiting, unable to swallow, or unconscious. Rectal medicine is most commonly used as a localized treatment for constipation or as a topical treatment for rectal inflammation orinfection. Rectal suppositories may be used for the treatment of fever, nausea, and pain; they may also be prescribed to induce sedation or bronchodilation, or to reduce the nausea and vomiting that can accompany chemotherapy. Medicated enemas may be used to cleanse the bowel, to combat bacteria, or to kill parasites.

Precautions:
Rectal medications must be used with caution in the

cardiac patient who has arrhythmias or has recently had a myocardial infarction (i.e., heart attack) Insertion of a rectal medicine can cause vagus nerve stimulation and may trigger an arrhythmiauch as bradycardia. Rectal medicines should not be given to the patient with undiagnosed abdominal pain because peristalsis of the bowel can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture

 Rectal medicines should be used cautiously in patients

who have undergone recent surgery on the rectum, bowel, or prostate gland. If the patient has rectal bleeding or a prolapse of rectal tissue from the rectal opening, the medicine should be withheld and the physician consulted before administration. Rectal medicines should not be taken orally, and only medications labeled as rectal preparations should be placed in the rectum.

Description:
Administration of rectal medication should be done

after the patient is positioned correctly. Lifting the upper buttocks will enable visualization of his or her rectal opening. External lotions, ointments or creams can be applied directly, using a gloved finger or a 4 gauze pad. Prior to administering internal rectal medicine, the tip of the suppository, enema catheter, or applicator should be lubricated with a water-soluble lubricant. To insert a rectal suppository, the lubricated, tapered end of the suppository should be placed at the rectal opening and gently pushed into the rectum.

 The suppository should be pushed continually toward

the umbilicus until the full length of the nurse's gloved index finger has been inserted into the rectal opening (i.e., about 3 inches, or7.5 cm, for an adult patient). When inserting suppositories into children, the suppository should be pushed about 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond the rectal opening, or up to the first knuckle of the nurses's index finger. When inserting suppositories into infants, the little finger should be inserted one-half inch (1.25 cm) beyond the rectal opening. The buttocks should be released and the finger removed.

Preparation:
Before administering rectal medicine, the door to the

room should be closed to assure patient privacy. The patient should be encouraged to empty his or her bladder and bowels before the procedure. After removing lower garments and underwear, the patient should be positioned in bed on his or her left side, with the top knee bent and pulled slightly upward. After removing lower garments and underwear, the patient should be positioned in bed on his or her left side, with the top knee bent and pulled slightly upward.

 After placing a bedpan within quick access, the nurse

should explain the procedure to the patient. This explanation should include the importance of breathing slowly through the mouth to enhance relaxation of the rectal sphincter and to avoid oppositional pressure The patient should be made aware that there may be an urge to push the medicine out, but that he or she should try to hold it for at least 105 minutes after instillation (30 minutes for suppositories), as most rectal medications need time to be absorbed. It is advisable for the professional to check the medication label each time the medicine is given, to avoid medication errors. The expiration date on the label should be inspected. If the medicine is outdated, it should not be used.

 The nurse should wash his or her hands and put on

gloves. The foil wrap should be removed from the rectal preparation or suppository. To prepare internal rectal creams, lotions or ointments, the applicator should be examined so that the nurse can estimate the proper amount to instill after insertion In preparation for rectal enema instillations, the directions on the package of premixed disposable enemas should be read. Most premixed disposable enemas come with the tip already lubricated. The cap from the tip should be removed, and air should be expelled from the apparatus before use. If liquid medicine solutions are given using a standard enema bag and tubing, the procedure for enema instillation should be followed.

Definition:
Ear drops are a form of medicine used

to treat or prevent ear infections, especially infections of the outer ear and ear canal (otitis externa). Bacterial infections are sometimes treated with antibiotics.

How to use it properly:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Gently clean your ear with a damp facecloth and then

dry your ear. Warm the drops to near body temperature by holding the container in the palm of your hand for a few minutes. If the drops are a cloudy suspension, shake the bottle well for 10 seconds. Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.

 Draw the medication into the dropper, or hold the

dropper-top bottle with the dropper tip down. Tilt the affected ear up or lie on your side. Pull the ear backward and upward (or if giving to a child younger than 3 years of age, pull backward and downward) to open the ear canal. Place the correct number of drops in your ear. Gently press on the small skin flap over the ear to help the drops to run into the ear canal Keep your ear tilted up for a few minutes or insert a soft cotton plug in your ear, whichever method has been recommended by your pharmacist or doctor. Replace and tighten the cap or dropper right away. Wash your hands to remove any medication.

Definition:
This medication is used for temporary

relief of congestion in the nose caused by various conditions including the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, and allergies. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose area, reducing swelling and congestion.

How to use the nose drop properly

Use this medication in the nose as directed. Follow all

directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. To apply nasal drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your nose or any other surface. If needed, have another person place the drops in your nose. Gently blow your nose before using this drug. Tilt your head back while sitting on a chair or lying down. Hold the dropper over the affected nostril and apply the directed number of drops. Keep your head tilted for a few minutes. Repeat these steps with the other nostril if needed. Do not swallow the medication if it drips into the throat.

Precaution:
Before using this nasal decongestant, tell your doctor

or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other sympathomimetics (e.g., pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Check the product package or consult with your doctor or pharmacist about whether these nasal drops can be used in children.

Thank You for listening YNGAT!