1. Forms and Routes of Drugs
Chapter 4
Forms and Routes of Drugs

3. Objectives Define all key terms.
List the forms in which medications are distributed.
Discuss how the different forms of drugs affect the body.
List the possible routes for administering medications.

4. Objectives
Describe why prescribers choose certain forms and routes over others.
Cite the resource where you can determine if you are allowed to administer IV therapy.

5. Gastrointestinal Route
Buccal—cheek and mouth
Sublingual—under tongue
Oral—swallow
Rectal—in rectum

6. Forms for GI Route Troches and lozenges Capsules Effervescent Elixirs
Emulsions
Powders
Solutions
Suspensions
Syrups
Tablets

7. Preferred by Patients Cheaper More comfortable
Can time with meals in some cases

8. Critical Thinking
Why is the gastrointestinal route so popular for taking medications?

9. Parenteral Routes Intradermal Intramuscular Subcutaneous Intravenous
Inhalation
Nasal
Ophthalmic
Otic
Topical/Transdermal

10. Injections May take effect more quickly May cause more discomfort
Ideal when a patient has nausea or vomiting
Chance of infection if not done correctly

11. Critical Thinking
Is it professional to tell a child that an injection will not hurt? Explain.

12. Transdermal More medications available in transdermal patches today
Requires rotation of patch sites
Clear that medication was administered
Must be on intact skin
Dosage dependent on entire patch being used

13. Critical Thinking
What would be the effect of cutting a transdermal patch? Is it advisable?

14. Forms of Parenteral Fluids Nebulizer, inhaler Drops Inserts
Creams, ointments, jellies, gels, plasters
Liniments and lotions
Powders
Suppositories, IUD

15. Summary
What new piece of information in this chapter were you most interested to learn?
What questions do you still have about the information in this chapter?
Return to Objectives to determine extent of learning.