A nurse is reviewing the routes of medication administration. Place the routes in order from fastest to slowest rate of absorption.
Subcutaneous
Intravenous
Enteral
Intramuscular
The Correct Answer is B,D,A,C
A. Subcutaneous: Medications administered subcutaneously are absorbed more slowly than intramuscular or intravenous routes due to less vascularity in subcutaneous tissue. However, absorption is still faster than enteral routes.
B. Intravenous: The IV route delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, offering immediate absorption and rapid onset of action. It is the fastest route and preferred in emergencies or when precise control is needed.
C. Enteral: Medications taken orally or via feeding tubes (enteral route) must pass through the digestive system. This results in the slowest absorption due to factors like gastric emptying, food interactions, and first-pass metabolism in the liver.
D. Intramuscular: Intramuscular injections offer faster absorption than subcutaneous due to the rich blood supply in muscle tissue. This route is often used for medications needing moderate speed and prolonged effect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. act more quickly than those administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly: Oral medications generally take longer to act because they must be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized before reaching systemic circulation.
B. are most commonly absorbed in the stomach: Most oral medications are absorbed primarily in the small intestine due to its larger surface area and favorable pH, rather than in the stomach.
C. are partially metabolized by the liver before reaching their intended site: This is known as the first-pass effect or first-pass metabolism. After absorption in the GI tract, oral medications enter the hepatic portal circulation and pass through the liver, where some of the drug is metabolized and inactivated before reaching systemic circulation.
D. should always be taken with food: Some medications require food to reduce gastric irritation or enhance absorption, but not all oral medications must be taken with food; instructions vary by drug.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Dissolve the thrombus: Heparin does not have the ability to break down or dissolve existing blood clots. Instead, it works to prevent the clot from growing larger or new clots from forming. Clot dissolution is achieved by other medications such as thrombolytics.
B. Reestablish blood flow: While the ultimate goal is to restore proper circulation, Heparin itself does not actively reopen blocked vessels. It works by stopping further clot formation, which can indirectly help improve blood flow over time.
C. Reduce vein inflammation: Heparin is not an anti-inflammatory medication and does not reduce inflammation in the veins. Its primary function is anticoagulation to prevent clot propagation rather than treating inflammation directly.
D. Inhibit clot formation: Heparin acts as an anticoagulant by interfering with the blood clotting process, particularly thrombin and factor Xa, preventing new clots from forming and existing clots from getting bigger. This is the main therapeutic purpose in treating DVT.
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