Route of Medication Administration

The field of healthcare has always baffled us in many ways. Through scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs, we were able to face the horrors of diseases, illnesses and injuries head on. But one of the things that may bug your mind is the question why can ordinary people not administer medicines.

Do you think administering medications is easy? Think again. There is a reason why one needs to be a pharmacist before one goes selling drugs in the market. There is also a reason why doctors are the only healthcare professionals who can prescribe medicines and drugs. And better yet, there is also a reason why one needs to be trained before giving medications. One cannot officially be allowed to give medicines unless they have received proper training from competent instructors of healthcare training like Hollywood Career Institute, provider of the best Healthcare Training in S. 21 Avenue Hollywood Florida.

There are varied ways on how a patient can take in medication. Hollywood Career Institute will walk you through these ways. One program we include in our Healthcare Training in S. 21 Avenue Hollywood Florida is to teach how healthcare professionals can administer medication and what else is needed to know than the different ways medication can be given. Examples of these ways are the following:

• Oral route
  We have been very familiar with this route and thought that all medications can be taken via this way. In order to take in medications through the oral route, the patient will have to swallow it through his or her mouth. Examples of these medications are pills, liquid, tablet, lozenge and many other variants.
• Rectal route
  One of the unique ways in taking in medications is through the rectal route. In this method, suppositories are inserted into the rectum of the patient.
• Intravenous route
  This means is commonly given to patients in the hospital setting but because of the demand, a healthcare practitioner, specifically a nurse, can give this at home. This is done through injecting one’s vein with a syringe and even into an intravenous line or IV.
• Infusion
  Just like the intravenous route this method is through injecting the patient’s veins. But this time, it is connected through the IV line and the medication drips over time.
• Intramuscular route
  If there is a mode in which medications can be given by injecting drugs into the patient’s vein, there is also a method that includes injecting medications on one’s muscles. This is done with a syringe.
• Topical route
  If you think medications are only given and should be taken inside the body, check again. Ointments are medications and they can just be applied directly to the skin.
• Enteric
  This method is the reason why professionals should be trained in giving medications. Just like the first 5 routes we talked about, this method needs to enter the patient’s system. But the unique feature about this route is that it is delivered directly into the patient’s stomach with the use of a G-tube or J-tube. An example of this would be the dialysis treatment given to patients with kidney failure.
• Nasal
  This route includes sprays or lungs in order to deliver the drug to a person’s nose.
• Inhaled
  Drugs taken in for the lungs need to be inhaled. This is particularly useful for asthma patients or for those who have problems in their respiratory system.
• Otic
  Ears are also part of our body with an opening and just like any part of our body, it can be infected. Otic medications are usually drops that healthcare practitioners administer and give to the patient through their ears.
• Ophthalmic
  These are drugs, gels or ointment for the patient’s eyes.
• Sublingual
  These are drugs given under the patient’s tongue.
• Buccal
  Drugs given through the buccal route involves holding them inside one’s cheek.
• Transdermal
  This drug is administered to a patch on the skin.
• Subcutaneous
  From the words “sub” which indicates under and “cutaneous” which signifies skin, subcutaneous includes injecting the drug under the patient’s skin.

The reason why people need professional training before giving the medications needed by the patient is because some of the routes can be dangerous or just plainly ineffective. We must first consider patient’s underlying health conditions such as:

• Dehydration
• Inability to swallow
• Health aliments
• And other factors

Because Florida needs properly trained healthcare professionals and caregivers, Hollywood Career Institute provides quality Healthcare Training in S. 21 Avenue Hollywood Florida. If you want to enroll and be a certified healthcare professional, you can visit our website at www.hollywoodcareerinstitute.com.