Methods of Drug Administration

Summary

This video explores the various methods of drug administration, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right route based on the drug's purpose and the patient's needs. It covers the enteral route (oral ingestion and feeding tubes), the topical route (including creams, patches, and suppositories), and the parenteral route (injections and intravenous methods). The video also discusses safety protocols, such as the six rights of drug administration, to ensure effective and safe drug delivery, highlighting the role of healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about how to administer medication.

Takeaways

• 😀 The method of drug administration depends on where in the body the drug needs to go and how quickly its effects should be felt.
• 😀 Healthcare professionals select the route of drug administration based on various factors like patient age, weight, and medical history.
• 😀 Administering the wrong drug or the right drug incorrectly can lead to serious consequences, including allergic or anaphylactic reactions.
• 😀 The six rights of drug administration are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
• 😀 Enteral drug administration involves oral ingestion or feeding tubes, with oral administration being preferred for ease of use.
• 😀 Most drugs taken orally must survive the acidic environment of the stomach before being absorbed in the small intestine, which is the primary site of absorption.
• 😀 Some oral drugs are designed with coatings to dissolve only in the small intestine to maximize absorption.
• 😀 Other forms of enteral administration include sublingual or buccal routes, where the drug is absorbed directly through the mouth's mucosa, bypassing the stomach.
• 😀 Topical drug administration includes creams, transdermal patches, eye drops, ear drops, and suppositories, targeting localized or systemic effects depending on the method of application.
• 😀 Parenteral drug administration involves injections, including intradermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular routes, with intravenous offering the fastest entry into the bloodstream.
• 😀 The choice of drug delivery method is influenced by the speed of action, the required therapeutic effect, and how localized or systemic the drug's effects need to be.

Q & A

What are the primary factors influencing the choice of drug administration route?

The main factors include the location where the drug needs to work, the speed at which its effects are needed, the patient's medical history, age, and weight, as well as the overall condition of the patient.

Why is the enteral route often preferred for drug administration?

The enteral route is preferred because it is typically the easiest method of administering drugs, especially orally. Drugs can be absorbed in the small intestine after passing through the stomach, and oral ingestion is usually the most straightforward method unless there are complications like unconsciousness.

What are the six rights of drug administration, and why are they important?

The six rights of drug administration are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route of administration, right time of delivery, and right documentation. These guidelines ensure that drugs are administered safely and effectively, preventing adverse reactions and ensuring proper patient care.

How do tablets and capsules typically resist stomach acidity during drug absorption?

Tablets and capsules usually have a hard, waxy coating that protects the drug from the stomach’s acidic environment. This coating dissolves in the more basic environment of the small intestine, allowing the drug to be absorbed efficiently.

What is the advantage of sublingual or buccal drug administration?

Sublingual or buccal administration involves placing the drug under the tongue or between the gum and cheek. This allows the drug to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucosa, bypassing the stomach’s acidity, and providing quicker absorption.

What types of drugs are typically administered via the topical route?

Topical drug administration includes drugs applied to the skin (like creams), as well as transdermal patches. It also includes ophthalmic (eye drops), otic (ear drops), nasal sprays, and rectal or vaginal suppositories.

How does the topical route provide a targeted drug delivery?

The topical route provides a more localized and slow absorption of drugs, typically affecting only the area where the drug was applied. In cases like nasal or rectal administration, the drug may enter the bloodstream, causing a systemic effect.

What are the key differences between the various parenteral routes of administration?

The parenteral routes differ primarily in the depth and site of injection. Intradermal injections are very shallow, deposited into the skin; subcutaneous injections are deeper, reaching tissue just beneath the skin; intravenous injections deliver the drug directly into the bloodstream; and intramuscular injections target muscle tissue.

Why might intravenous administration be preferred over oral administration?

Intravenous administration is preferred when a rapid onset of action is needed, as it delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, achieving high levels in the blood almost immediately. In contrast, oral administration has a slower onset due to absorption in the digestive system.

What is the primary reason for using feeding tubes like nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes for drug administration?

Feeding tubes are used for drug administration when a patient is unable to swallow due to unconsciousness or other medical conditions. They allow the drug to be delivered directly to the stomach for absorption.