Topical & Transdermal Medications
What must the nurse do before applying a new transdermal patch?
What is remove the old patch and clean the area.
Where should eye drops be placed?
What is in the conjunctival sac (not directly on the cornea).
What is the purpose of a spacer with an MDI?
What is it helps deliver more medication to the lungs and less to the mouth/throat.
What position should the patient be in for rectal suppository administration?
What is left lateral (Sim's) position.
What is the preferred method for obtaining a urine specimen for culture?
What is a clean catch urine specimen.
Why should topical medications be applied with gloves or an applicator?
What is to prevent nurse exposure or contamination.
What should a nurse do immediately after applying eye drops to prevent systemic absorption?
What is apply gentle pressure to the inner canthus for 1–2 minutes.
What should the patient do before inhaling medication from an MDI?
What is exhale fully.
How far should an adult rectal suppository be inserted?
What is about 1 inch beyond the rectal sphincter.
When collecting a sputum specimen, what time of day is best?
What is early morning before eating or brushing teeth.
What should never be done to a transdermal patch?
What is cut the patch in half.
When administering ear drops to an adult, how should the pinna be positioned?
What is up and back.
How long should a patient wait between puffs of the same inhaler?
What is 1 minute.
What should the patient do after vaginal suppository insertion?
What is remain lying down for 10–15 minutes to allow for absorption.
What PPE should be worn when collecting wound or body fluid specimens?
What are gloves (and gown/eye protection if splashing possible).
How should the nurse dispose of a used transdermal patch?
What is fold it in half with the medications sides together and discard per facility policy.
Why should nasal sprays not be shared between patients?
To prevent cross-contamination and infection.
Why is it important for patients to rinse their mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid?
What is to prevent oral thrush.
Why should suppositories be kept refrigerated until use?
What is to prevent melting and preserve integrity.
What is the best spot to culture a wound?
What is in the deepest part of the wound and away from the edges.
What should the nurse always document after applying a topical medication?
What is site of application, date/time, dose, and patient response.
What should the nurse advise the patient to do before a nasal spray or drops?
What is blow their nose.
Describe correct order when using a bronchodilator and corticosteroid inhaler.
What is use bronchodilator first, wait 5 minutes, then corticosteroid.
What are some reasons why suppositories are used?
What are with babies, uncooperative patients, vomiting, or certain digestive disorders.
Why should specimen containers be labeled at the bedside before sending to the lab?
What is to ensure correct patient identification and prevent mix-ups.