#5

Routes of administration
routes
Oral
Advantages
Most convenient
Usually least expensive
Safe, doesnt break skin barrier
Administration does not usually cause stress
Disadvantages
Inappropriate for clients with nausea or vomiting
Drug may have unpleasant taste or odor
Inappropriate when gastrointestinal tract has reduced motility
Inappropriate if clients cannot swallow or unconscious
Cannot be used before certain diagnostic tests or surgical procedures
Drug may discolor teeth.harm tooth enamel
Drug may irritate gastric mocusa
Drug can be aspirated by seriously ill clients
sublingual
Some new oral medication are designed to rapidly dissolve on the tongue,allowing
for fasterabsorption and action.
Some as for orals plus drugs can be administered for local effect
More potent than oral route because drug directly enters the blood and by passes
the liver
Disadvantages
If swallowed drug may beinactivated by gastric juice

Drug must remain under tongue until dissolved and absorbed.may cause stinging or
irritation of the mucous membranes
Drug is rapidly absorbed in the bloodstream
Bucal rectal
Same as for sublingual
Can be used when drug has objectionable taste or color
Drug released as slow steady rate
Disadvantages
Same as for sublingual
Dose absorbed is unpredictable
May be percieved unpeasant by the client
Limited use
Vaginal topical
Provides a local and therapeutic effects
Provides local effect
Few sides effect
Disadvantages
May be messy and soil clothes
Drug can enter body through abrassions and cause systemic effects
Transdermal
Prolonged systemic effect
Few side effects
Avoid gastrointestinal absorption problems
Onset of drug action faster than oral
Disadvanatages
Leaves residue on the skin that may soil clothes
Subcutaneous

Disadvantages
Most involve sterile technique because breaks skin barriers
More expensive than oral
Can administer only small volume
Slower than intramuscular administration
Some drugs can irritate tisuue and can cause pain
Can produce anxiety
Breaks skin barrier
Intramuscular
Can administer larger volume than subcutaneous
Drug is rapidly absorbed
Disadvantages
Can produce anxiety
Intradermal
Absorption is slow ( this is an advantage in testing for allergies)
Intramuscular
Can administer larger volume than subcutaneous
Drug is rapidly absorbed
Disadvantages
Amount of drug administered must be small
Break skin barrier

Intravenous
Rapid effect
Disadvantages
Limited to highly soluble drugs

Drug distribution inhibited by poor circulation

Inhalation
Introduces drug throughout respiratory tract
Rapid localized relief
Drug can be administered through unconcsious client
Disadvantages
Drug intended for localized effect can have systematic effect
Of use only for respiratory system