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

Statement: 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 ) 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?

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Answer 1

Answer: False: All the drugs i.e. tablets and capsules should be handled carefully. It should not be considered that the medicine is expensive and should be consumed it is dropped on the floor. The tablets gets contaminated. All the capsules and tablets can't be stored at room temperature because some of the tablets and capsules can degrade at certain temperature.

True: All the eye drops which is not directly comes in contact with the patient can be used for other patients. once opened should have the date of opening written on the container. All eye drops may be stored in refrigerator below 180 C.

The cream can be applied if the infection is controlled. The cream should be kept in a cool temperature as well as tightly packed or sealed after each use.

Suppository should be kept at cool temperature because these are generally made as to melt at body temperature. It is usually kept in the body cavity to release its drug content.