7. Parenteral Administration
∗ Parenteral Medications are given through a route
other than the alimentary canal; these routes are:
∗
∗
∗
∗
Intradermal (ID)
Subcutaneous (SC or SQ)
Intramuscular (IM)
Intravenous ( IV)
8. EQUIPMENT
∗ Needles
∗ Available in different gauges – the
smaller the number, the larger the
gauge (inside diameter)
∗ Length – long enough to penetrate the
appropriate layers of tissue
∗ Syringes
∗
∗
∗
∗
Barrel
Plunger
With or without needle
Calibrated in milliliters or units
10. The hub is at one end of the needle and is the
part that attaches to the syringe.
The shaft is the long slender stem of the needle
that is beveled at one end to form a point.
bevel- is the slanted part at the tip of the shaft
The hollow bore of the needle shaft is known as
the lumen.
11. Needle Size-is designated by
LENGTH AND GAUGE
The length of a needle is measured in inches from
the juncture of the hub and the shaft to the tip of
the point. Needle lengths range from 3/8 inch to 3
1/2 inches; some special use needles are even
longer.
The gauge of a needle, used to designate the size
of the lumen, ranges from 27 (the finest) to 13
(the largest).
12. The smaller the number, the larger the
gauge (inside diameter).
13.
14.
15.
16. SYRINGES
∗ Tip-which connects the needle
∗ Barrel-outside part, which contains measurement
calibrations
∗ Plunger-which fits the inside the barrel and has a
rubber tip
THE NURSE MUST ENSURE THAT THE SYRINGE TIP,
INSIDE OF THE BARREL, SHAFT & RUBBER
PLUNGER TIP & SHAFT OF THE NEEDLE ARE KEPT
STERILE.
18. TYPES OF SYRINGES
∗ Standard- comes in 3ml,5 and 10ml
∗ Insulin-designed specially for use with the
ordered dose of insulin
∗ Tuberculin-narrow syringe, use to administer
small or precise doses such as pediatric
dosages.
∗ Should be used for doses of 0.5ml or less
22. Parenteral Drug Packaging
∗ Ampule – glass or plastic container
that is sealed and sterile (open with
care)
∗ Vial – small bottle with rubber
diaphragm that can be punctured by
needle
23.
24.
25.
26.
27. Preparing to Administer a Drug (cont.)
∗ Rules for administration
∗ Give only drugs the doctor orders – use drug reference, if
necessary
∗ Wash your hands
∗ Prepare in a well-lit area
∗ Focus on task; avoid distractions
∗ Calculate the dose carefully
∗ Do not leave a prepared drug unattended – never give a
drug that someone else has prepared
28. Preparing to Administer a Drug (cont.)
∗ Rules for administration
∗ Identify patient properly
∗ Physician should be in the office
∗ Observe patient following administration
∗ Discard any ungiven medications properly
∗ Report error to physician immediately
∗ Document properly
29. Parenteral Dose Forms
∗ Parenteral preparations must be sterile
∗ free of microorganisms
∗ To ensure sterility, parenterals are prepared using
∗ aseptic techniques
∗ special clothing (gowns, masks, hair net, gloves)
∗ laminar flow hoods placed in special rooms
30. Preparing to Administer a Drug (cont.)
Seven Rights of Drug Administration
1. Right patient
2. Right drug
3. Right dose
4. Right time
5. Right route
6. Right technique
7. Right documentation
31.
32. Apply Your Knowledge
How do you properly identify the patient before
administering a drug?
ANSWER: To ensure that you have the right patient, you
should check the name and date of birth on the patient record
and ask the patient to state his/her name and date of birth.
33. Techniques for
Administering Drugs (cont.)
∗ Methods of injection
∗ Intradermal
∗ Into upper layer of skin
∗ Used for skin tests
∗ Subcutaneous
∗ Provides slow, sustained
release and longer
duration of action
∗ Rotate sites
∗ Intramuscular
∗
∗
∗
∗
More rapid absorption
Less irritation of tissue
Larger amount of drug
Z-track method
∗ Intravenous
∗ Not usually given by
medical assistants
34. Intradermal or Intracutaneous
∗ -to diagnose TB, identify allergens,
administer local anesthetics
∗ -drugs are absorb slowly from this site
∗ -commonly used for ID injection are the
INNER ASPECT OF THE FOREARM (upper
chest and upper back beneath the scapula)
∗ -drug’s dosage contained in a small quantity
of solution (0.01 to 0.1 ml)
35.
36. Intradermal Injections
∗ Given into capillary-rich layer just below epidermis
for
∗ local anesthesia
∗ diagnostic tests
∗ immunizations
37. Intradermal Injections
∗ Examples of ID injections include
∗ skin test for tuberculosis (TB) or fungal infections
∗ typical site is the upper forearm, below the area where IV
injections are given
∗ allergy skin testing
∗ small amounts of various allergens are administered to
detect allergies
∗ usually on the back
38.
39.
40. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Given at a 45-degree
angle
∗ 25- or 26-gauge needle, 3/8
to 5/8 inch length
∗ No more then 1.5 mL
should be injected into
the site
∗ to avoid pressure on
sensory nerves causing pain
and discomfort
41. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Administer medications below the skin into the
subcutaneous fat
∗ outside of the upper arm
∗ top of the thigh
∗ lower portion of each side of the abdomen
∗ not into grossly adipose, hardened, inflamed, or swollen
tissue
∗ Often have a longer onset of action and a longer
duration of action
∗ compared with IM or IV injection
42. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Insulin is given using 28- to 30-gauge short needles
∗ in special syringe that measures in units
∗ Insulin is administered following a plan for site
rotation
∗ to avoid or minimize local skin reactions
∗ Absorption may vary depending on
∗ site of administration
∗ activity level of the patient
43. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Keep insulin refrigerated
∗ Check expiration dates frequently
∗ opened vials should be discarded after one month
∗ A vial of insulin is agitated and warmed by rolling
between the hands and should never be shaken
∗ The rubber stopper should be wiped with an
alcohol wipe
45. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Medications administered by this route include:
∗ epinephrine (or adrenaline)
∗ for emergency asthmatic attacks or allergic reactions
∗ heparin or low molecular–weight heparins
∗ to prevent blood clots
∗ sumatriptan or Imitrex
∗ for migraines
∗ many vaccines
46. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ Normally given with the syringe held at a 45-degree
angle
∗ in lean older patients with less tissue and obese patients
with more tissue, the syringe should be held at more of a
90-degree angle
∗ Correct length of needle is determined by a skin
pinch in the injection area
∗ proper length is one half the thickness of the pinch
47. Subcutaneous Injections
∗ When administering insulin, air is injected into vial
∗ equal to the amount of insulin to be withdrawn
∗ Air is gently pushed from syringe with the plunger
∗ Patient should plan meals, exercise, and insulin
administration
∗ to gain the best advantage of the medication
∗ avoid chances of creating hypoglycemia
48. Intramuscular Injections
∗ Typical needle is 22- to 25gauge ½- to 1-inch needle
∗ Intramuscular (IM)
injections are administered
at a 90-degree angle
∗ volume limited to less than 3
mL
49.
50. Intramuscular Injections
∗ Care must be taken with deep IM injections to avoid
hitting a vein, artery, or nerve
∗ In adults, IM injections are given into upper, outer
portion of the gluteus maximus
∗ large muscle on either side of the buttocks
∗ For children and some adults, IM injections are given
into the deltoid muscles of the shoulders
51. Intramuscular Injections
∗ Used to administer
∗ antibiotics
∗ vitamins
∗ iron
∗ vaccines
∗ Absorption of drug by IM route is unpredictable
∗ not recommended for patients who are unconscious or in a
shocklike state
52. Parenteral Administration
∗ Intramuscular Injection
∗ Promote rapid drug absorption.
∗ Provide an alternate route when drug is irritating to
subcutaneous tissue.
∗ Sites
∗ Gauge and needle length
Copyright 2004 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
30-52
53.
54.
55. Intravenous Injections or Infusions
∗ Intravenous (IV) injections are administered at a
15- to 20-degree angle
56. Parenteral Dose Forms
∗ Intramuscular (IM) injections
∗ into a muscle
∗ Subcutaneous injections
∗ under the skin
∗ Intradermal (ID) injections
∗ into the skin
57. Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Parenteral Route
∗ The IV route is the fastest method for delivering
systemic drugs
∗ preferred administration in an emergency situation
∗ It can provide fluids, electrolytes, and nutrition
∗ patients who cannot take food or have serious problems
with the GI tract
∗ It provides higher concentration of drug to
bloodstream or tissues
∗ advantageous in serious bacterial infection
58. Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Parenteral Route
∗ Traumatic injury from the insertion of needle
∗ Potential for introducing:
∗ toxic agents
∗ microbes
∗ pyrogens
∗ Impossible to retrieve if adverse reaction occurs
∗ injected directly into the body
59. Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Parenteral Route
∗ Intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous routes of
administration are convenient ways to deliver
medications
∗ Compared with the IV route:
∗ onset of response of the medication is slower
∗ duration of action is much longer
∗ Practical for use outside the hospital
∗ Used for drugs which are not active orally
60. Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Parenteral Route
∗ For intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous routes
of administration, the injection site needs to be
“prepped”
∗ using alcohol wipe
∗ Correct syringe, needle, and technique must be
used
∗ Rotation of injection sites with long-term use
∗ prevents scarring and other skin changes
∗ can influence drug absorption
61. Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Parenteral Route
∗ The intradermal (ID) route of administration is
used for diagnostic and allergy skin testing
∗ patient may experience a severe local reaction if
allergic or has prior exposure to a testing antigen
62. Dispensing and Administering
Parenteral Medications
∗ Most parenteral preparations are made up of
ingredients in a sterile-water medium
∗ the body is primarily an aqueous (water-containing)
vehicle
∗ Parenteral preparations are usually:
∗ solutions
∗ suspensions
63. Dispensing and Administering
Parenteral Medications
∗ IV injections and infusions are introduced directly
into the bloodstream
∗ must be free of air bubbles and particulate matter
∗ introduction of air or particles might cause embolism,
blockage in a vessel, or severe painful reaction at the
injection site
64. Intravenous Injections or Infusions
∗ Fast-acting route because the drug goes directly
into the bloodstream
∗ often used in the emergency department and in
critical care areas
∗ Commonly used
∗ for fluid and electrolyte replacement
∗ to provide necessary nutrition to the patient who is
critically ill
Many clients have broadly classified the parenteral route into one category : “INJECTIONS” OR “SHOTS”
An injection is an invasive procedure because it breaks the skin barrier.
As such it must be performed using proper aseptic technique to prevent infection.
alimentary canal, also called digestive tract, pathway by which food enters the body and solid wastes are expelled. The alimentary canal includes the mouth, pharynx,esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. See digestion.
Other routes such as intra-arterial or spinal are only accessed by specially trained professionals.
The nurse should provide the client an explanation of the various routes used when administering parenteral drugs.
Nurses use special equipment such as:
Most needles are disposable, made of stainless steel and individually packed for sterility.
Disposable needles should always be used when preparing admixtures as they are presterilized and individually wrapped to maintain sterility.
Reusable needles are seldom used, except in certain areas such as surgery and special procedure rooms.
Bevel may have short or long
Length of bevel is based on type of injection
Long bevels-sharp and produce less pain when injected into the subcutaneous or muscle tissues
Short bevel-must be used for intradermal and intravenous injections to prevent occlusion of the bevel either by the tissue or by a blood vessel.
There are two considerations when choosing a needle size; the viscosity of the solution, and the nature of the rubber closure on the parenteral container. Needles with larger lumens should be used for viscous solutions. Smaller gauge needles are preferred if the rubber closure can be cored easily. Coring is when a needle punctures or tears a piece of the rubber closure and the piece then falls into the container and creates particulate material contamination.
Gauge of the needle refers to the diameter of the shaft
THE LARGER THE GAUGE NUMBER, THE SMALLER THE DIAMETER OF THE SHAFT
Large gauge Needles-produce less trauma to the body’s tissue; however the nurse should consider the varicosity of a solution when selecting the gauge.
Shaft of the needle-determines its length. The nurse selects the length of the needle on the basis of the clients muscle development and weight and type of injection, such as ID VS IM
A needle syringe is a device used for injecting, removing or infusing fluids. They are most commonly known in health care settings for injecting medications and for use in removing blood from the body. Syringes can differ in size and type, and they can be made of glass or plastic. The syringe chosen usually depends on its intended purpose. The syringe consists of a plunger, barrel, hub, needle and the needle's protective cover. It is important that all parts of a syringe coming into contact with the body be kept free of contamination.
Syringes come is different sizes ranging from 1 to 60 ml. As a rule, select a syringe whose capacity is the next size larger than the volume to be measured. For example, a 3 ml syringe should be selected to measure 2.3 ml, or a 5 ml syringe to measure 3.8 ml. In this way, the graduation marks on the syringe will be in thesmallest possible increments for the volume measured. Syringes should not be filled to capacity because the plunger can be easily dislodged.