Routes of Administration Flashcards

A resident has a vaginal cream ordered. This route of administration is classified as:

Answer: Local topical/mucous membrane

Vaginal medications act locally on the mucous membranes of the vaginal canal and are classified as a topical/mucous membrane route.

When using a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler, the primary benefit is:

Answer: It slows aerosol delivery to improve lung deposition

A spacer holds the aerosolized medication briefly so the resident can inhale at their own pace, improving drug delivery deep into the lungs.

Which of the following is NOT considered a parenteral route of administration?

Answer: Oral

Oral administration is an enteral route because it uses the gastrointestinal tract; parenteral routes bypass the GI tract entirely.

A resident receives a medication via a gastrostomy tube (G-tube). This is best classified as which route?

Answer: Enteral

G-tube administration delivers medication directly into the stomach via the GI tract, making it an enteral route.

To prevent systemic absorption when administering eye drops, the medication aide should apply gentle pressure to:

Answer: The nasolacrimal duct (inner corner)

Pressing on the nasolacrimal duct after instillation prevents drops from draining into the nasal passage and being systemically absorbed.

Which route would be MOST likely used for a medication intended to treat a localized skin infection?

Answer: Topical cream

Topical creams are applied directly to the skin surface to deliver medication at the site of a local infection with minimal systemic effects.

Which of the following statements about rectal suppositories is correct?

Answer: They should be inserted pointed end first, about 1 inch into the rectum

Rectal suppositories are inserted pointed end first approximately 1 inch (or beyond the internal sphincter in adults) to promote retention and absorption.