Medication Administration Routes Flashcards
12 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 12 Medication Administration Routes flashcards as text
The sublingual route of medication administration involves placing the medication:
Answer: Under the tongue
Sublingual means 'under the tongue,' where the medication dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa.
Which injection route has the slowest absorption rate?
Answer: Intradermal
Intradermal injections are placed in the dermis, which has limited blood supply, resulting in the slowest absorption.
Transdermal medication patches work by:
Answer: Delivering medication through intact skin into systemic circulation over time
Transdermal patches deliver medication through the intact skin at a controlled rate for systemic absorption over hours or days.
When administering eye drops, the medication should be instilled into the:
Answer: Lower conjunctival sac
Eye drops are placed into the lower conjunctival sac (the pocket formed by gently pulling down the lower eyelid) to avoid direct corneal irritation.
The intravenous (IV) route is preferred in emergencies because:
Answer: It provides immediate drug bioavailability and rapid onset
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing 100% bioavailability and immediate onset of action.
Rectal medication administration is appropriate when a patient:
Answer: Is vomiting and unable to take oral medications
The rectal route is used when oral administration is not possible due to nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, or NPO status.
The Z-track technique for intramuscular injection is used to:
Answer: Prevent medication from leaking back through the needle track
The Z-track method displaces the skin and subcutaneous tissue before injection, creating a zigzag path that seals the medication in the muscle.
Nebulizer treatments deliver medication via:
Answer: Aerosolized mist inhaled into the respiratory tract
Nebulizers convert liquid medication into a fine aerosol mist that is inhaled deep into the lungs through a mouthpiece or mask.
When administering an otic (ear) medication, the adult ear canal is straightened by pulling the pinna:
Answer: Up and back
In adults, the ear canal is straightened by pulling the pinna (outer ear) up and back to facilitate medication delivery.
The maximum volume for a single subcutaneous injection in an adult is typically:
Answer: 1.0-1.5 mL
The maximum volume for subcutaneous injection in adults is generally 1.0-1.5 mL to prevent tissue distension and discomfort.
Topical medications are applied to:
Answer: The skin surface or mucous membranes for local or systemic effect
Topical medications are applied to the skin or mucous membranes and may provide local effects (anti-itch cream) or systemic effects (transdermal patches).
Before administering any medication, the medical technician must first verify:
Answer: The prescriber's order and the five rights of medication administration
Medication administration always begins with verifying a valid prescriber's order and checking the five rights: right patient, drug, dose, route, and time.