ROUTES FOR MEDICATION

ADMINISTRATION
PRESENTATION BY GROUP 5
• Thato Motsarapane
• Thato Sello
• ‘Malefu Matuka
• ‘Mamoahloli Pitso
• Lekatsa Mots’oeneng
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this presentation, students will
be able to;
 Outline routes of medication
 Describe oral medication
 List 5 rights of medication administration
• Forms of drugs and their storage
• Apply 5 rights of drug administration in
nursing care.
 ROUTES OF MEDICATION
• Orally
Given through the mouth e.g. pills, syrups,
capsules
• Injections
i. Subcutaneous: injection into the fatty
tissue under the skin
ii. Intramuscular: injection into the muscle
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iii. Intravenous: injecting directly into the vein
iv. Intradermal: injecting directly into the first layers of the skin
v. Intra-arterial : injecting into the arteries
vi. Intracardiac: injecting directly into the heart
vii. Intrathecal : injecting directly into the spinal cord

Respiratory tract
Inhalation of steam, e.g aerosol, droplets, nebulizers
Per rectum
Use of enema and suppositories( which are solid dose of
medications inserted into the rectum)
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Sublingual
The drug is dissolved under the tongue and
absorbed
Eye instillation (ophthalmic): drops into
the eye
Nose (nasal sprays): nose drops

Skin: rubbing in oils, ointments

 continuation
• Implantation: surgical insertion into the human body e.g. gold seeds
for cancer treatment and family planning implant

FORMS OF DRUGS AND THEIR STORAGE

• Pills: are tablets that are usually swallowed. They are stored in a
room temperature away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
Kept in a cool dry place such as a drawer.
• Capsules: are similar to pills but they have a shell that encloses the
drug . They are kept in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
Kept in the original container with a cap tight closed to prevent
moisture and humidity from getting inside.
• Liquid: some drugs come in a liquid form that is taken orally or
injected . They are Kept in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight
or excessive heat or cold .
• Creams and ointments: are applied to the skin to
treat certain conditions. They are stored in a cool
dry place away from sunlight
• Inhalers: these are used to deliver drugs to the
lungs by breathing them in. They are stored at room
temperature out of direct sunlight.
Clean free from dust and dirt.
• Patches: are applied to the skin and release a drug
slowly overtime. They are kept at room temperature
away from heat and humidity.
kept in a cool dry place
 DESCRIPTION OF ORAL
MEDICATION
• It is the common route of medication
administration. There are many different
types of oral medications which include
pills, capsules and pills. In most cases,
ingredients in oral medications do not
enter the bloodstream until they reach the
stomach bowel.
N:B This type of route is mainly for
conscious patients
 5 RIGHTS OF MEDICATIONS
1. Give the right medication
2. Give the right dose
3. Give to the right patient
4. Through the right route
5. Give at the right time
 HOW TO APPLY THE 5 RIGHTS WHILE
ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS
1. Right medication: check the patients’
identity and confirm order, read and
understand the prescription and
instructions
2. Right dose: give the correct dose based
on the patients’ age and medical history
3. Right patient: check the patient’s identity
and make sure the medication is
prescribed for the patient.
4. Right route: ensure that the medication is
administered by the correct route e.g.
orally, intravenous
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5. Right time: to check the medication
administration record, to make sure that
the medication has not already been given

• Thank u