Question

Medications are available in different forms. Enrolled Nurses should be aware of handling, storage and administration techniques for different forms of medications. Briefly comment on the accuracy of the following statement

Briefly comment on the accuracy of the following statements

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1) Capsules and tablets

- Always wear gloves while handling capsules and tablets

- Some tablets are expensive, therefore, could be administered even if the tablet is dropped on the floor

- . Tablet which is labelled as slow release (SR) or extended release (XR) should not be crushed or powdered

- All capsules and tablets can be stored at room temperature.

2 ) Eye drops

- Rinse the tip of the dropper after each use.

- The same eye drop bottle or dispenser could be used for different clients if there is no direct contact

- Eye drop containers, once opened should have the date of opening written on the container

- All eye drops may be stored in refrigerator below 180 C

3) Creams/Ointments

- How could a nurse apply cream to a client.

- A tube of cream can be used for multiple clients if infection control practices are maintained

- How should tubes be labelled

- How should Ointments, creams and lotions prescribed be stored?

4 )Suppositories

- How should suppositories be handled

- How should suppositories be administered?

- How should suppositories be stored?

5 ) Wafers

- How should sublingual wafers be handled?

- How should sublingual wafers be Administered?

- How should sublingual wafers be Stored?

6) Transdermal patches

- How should Transdermal patches be handled?

- How should Transdermal patches be Administered?

- How should Transdermal patches be Stored?

7) Inhalants

- How should be Inhalants handled?

- How should Inhalants be Administered?

- How should Inhalants be Stored?

8 )Liquid and powder (for suspension)

- How should Liquids and powders be handled?

- How should Liquids and powders be Administered?

- How should Liquids and powders be Stored?

Answer 1

1) Capsules and Tablets:

Hand washing should be done before touching medicine gloves can be wear if needed.

Even if the tablet is expensive it should not be administered if it fell down in the floor. It should be discarded.

Extend release or slow release medicine should not be crushed or powdered.

All capsules and tablets can be stored in room temperature.

2)Eye drops:

Rinse the tip of the dropper after each use

The same eye drop bottle cannot be used for different patients

Eye drop container is opened means it should be dated

All eye drops cannot be stored in refrigerator below 180 C

3) Creams/ointments:

Always wear gloves while administering ointments and clean the area.

A tube of cream can be used for multiple client if infection control practices are maintained.

The tubes should be dated if it is open.

All ointments and creams can be stored in room temperature.

4) Suppositories:

If the suppository is soft keep it in the refrigerator and make hard and wear gloves and remove wraps.

The patient is positioned in side lateral position and after lubricating the suppository is pushed into the rectum using index finger.

The suppository is stored in the refrigerator.

5) Wafers:

It should be handled only after hand washing and wearing gloves.

The medicine is kept under the tongue to dissolve.

It is stored in cold dry place under 25C

6)Transdermal patches:

It should be handled after hand washing

Remove cover and apply it over the site and gently pressure it.

It can be stored in room temperature

7) Inhalants:

After hand washing remove the cap and hold it upright.

After shaking it is administered into the mouth by pressing and hold breath for sometime. Repeat it for sometime.

It is stored in controlled room temperature 25C

8)Liquid and powder:

It should be handled with clean hands

After shaking measure and administer the medicine

It can be stored in room temperature 25C