The nurse is preparing several topical medications for a patient.The nurse identifies which of the following as ways to administer a topical medication? (Select all that apply. )

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Topical medications can be applied by direct application of liquid (eyedrops,gargling,and swabbing the throat),insertion of a drug into a body cavity (rectal or vaginal suppositories,vaginal creams or foams),instillation of fluid into a body cavity (fluid is retained)(eardrops,nose drops,bladder,and rectal instillation),irrigation of a body cavity (fluid is not retained)(flushing eye,ear,vagina,bladder,or rectum with medicated fluid),spraying (instillation into nose or throat or under the tongue),and inhalation of medicated aerosol spray or dry powder medication (distributes medication throughout the nasal passages and the tracheobronchial airway).Medication may be directly applied to the skin or mucosa (lotion,ointment,cream,powder,foam,spray,patch,and disc),or it may be given by the sublingual (medication placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve)or buccal (medication placed between the upper or lower molar teeth and cheek area and allowed to dissolve)route.Medications placed in the gastrointestinal tract via an enteral tube are not topical medications.

The Nurse Is Preparing Several Topical Medications for a Patient