Topical Medication Administration Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Topical Medication Administration flashcards as text
Which vehicle type is most appropriate for delivering medication to a hairy area of the body?
Answer: Solution or lotion
Solutions and lotions are preferred for hairy areas because they penetrate hair follicles more easily and are less occlusive than thicker formulations.
A patient reports burning and stinging immediately after applying a topical corticosteroid to the face. The most appropriate first action is to:
Answer: Document and report the reaction to the provider
Burning and stinging after topical corticosteroid application should be documented and reported to the supervising provider, as it may indicate irritation or an adverse reaction.
What does the term 'vehicle' refer to in a topical medication formulation?
Answer: The inactive base that carries the active drug
The vehicle is the inactive base (such as water, oil, or alcohol) that carries the active drug and determines how it penetrates and distributes across the skin.
Topical tacrolimus (Protopic) is classified as a:
Answer: Topical calcineurin inhibitor
Tacrolimus is a topical calcineurin inhibitor used for atopic dermatitis that works by suppressing T-cell activation without the side effects of corticosteroids.
When instructing a patient to apply a topical medication to the periorbital area, which caution is most critical?
Answer: Avoid getting the medication into the eyes
Periorbital application requires extreme caution to prevent medication from contacting the eyes, as many topical agents can cause serious ocular damage.
Which of the following is a characteristic of an emulsion-based topical formulation?
Answer: It is a mixture of oil and water stabilized by an emulsifier
Emulsions are mixtures of oil and water held together by an emulsifying agent, and most creams and lotions are oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions.
A patient is prescribed a topical medication with instructions to apply 'sparingly.' This means:
Answer: Apply a thin layer using just enough to cover the area
Applying sparingly means using a thin layer — just enough to lightly coat the affected area — to minimize systemic absorption and side effects.