Understanding Types of Medications and Measuring Devices

Enteric coating

A special covering on the tablet that allows the tablet to be dissolved and absorbed in a particular place in the gastrointestinal tract.

Tablets

Contain the drug's active ingredient in a compressed form. Come in a variety of shapes and sizes. May be scored. May have an enteric coating. Includes a variation called a caplet, which is small and has a smooth covering that makes it easier to swallow

CR, Contin, ER, XR, XL, SA, SR, TR

Drug labels identify time-released medications in various formats.

Capsules

Have a gelatin-like covering that holds the powdered form of the drug. Include a soft-gel variation, used specifically for liquid or oil-based drug ingredients. May contain tiny beads or pellets that are dissolved and released over time, allowing the drug's active ingredient to enter into the bloodstream at a slower and steadier rate.

Rectal

Medication may be administered into the rectum, such as a suppository

Oral

Medications are administered by mouth into the stomach and are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and then enter into the body.

Feeding tube

Medications may be administered into the gastrointestinal tract through feeding tubes. Feeding tubes, such as the nasogastric tube, gastrostomy tube, and jejunostomy tube are placed directly into the gastrointestinal tract and provide a means for giving nutrition and medications.

Tablets and capsules

Most common form of solid medications

Oral Route

Most commonly, enteral medications are administered

Reconstitution

Preparation: They must be mixed just before administration. This process, involves mixing the powder with a liquid so that the powdered medication can be administered.

Cylindrical Dosing Spoon

The dosing spoon is a measuring device with calibration lines from 1 mL to 10 mL and equivalent measurements in teaspoons. It is designed with a spoon end shape for ease of medication administration.

Meniscus

The horizontal center of a liquid when placed in a curved container such as a medicine cup.

Elixirs, syrups, and suspensions

The most common types of liquid oral medications.

Sublingual/buccal

The route allows for medications to be placed under the tongue or between the gum and the inner lining of the cheek to dissolve. This facilitates rapid absorption of the medication through the mucous membranes.

To identify the dosage strength for calculation

To correctly obtain the dosage strength of the drug, follow the reconstitution directions as listed on the drug label.

Solid, liquid, and powdered

Ways that medication comes

Syrup

contains the drug in a viscous liquid preparation consisting largely of purified water and sucrose or a sugar substitute for a more pleasant taste.

Contin

continuous release

CR

controlled-release

ER, XR, or XL

extended release

Buccal

inner lining of the cheek

suspension

is a liquid that contains small particles of the drug that cannot be dissolved.

oral syringe

is a measuring device, available in various sizes ranging from 3 mL to 10 mL capacity. The tip of the syringe allows for easy administration. The oral syringe is needleless.

Elixir

is a mixture of the drug mixed with water, alcohol, and flavored substances.

calibrated dropper

is designed to facilitate oral medication administration, especially in children. Sizes vary. It often measures 1 mL to 5 mL of medication.

medicine cup

is frequently used in clinical practice. When using, read the liquid measurement at the meniscus level or at the horizontal center of the liquid and not from the outer edges of the cup.

Powdered

oral medications involve special considerations.

Liquid Oral Medications

require the use of measuring devices, including calibrated devices and household measuring devices.

SA

sustained action

SR

sustained release

Scored

tablet may be broken along an indented line on the tablet. Each part of the tablet will contain an equal amount of the active ingredient of the drug.

after initially reconstructs the medication should:

the date the medication was reconstituted. The time the medication was reconstituted. The initials of the nurse.

After reconstitution

the nurse needs to identify the storage information on the label specific for the reconstituted drug (not the storage information for the powdered drug).

TR

time release

Sublingual

under the tongue

Medicine Cup

used to hold oral medications, (liquid and solid forms). It is marked with calibrated units used to measure dosages. Most commonly used units to measure volume include milliliters (mL), teaspoons (tsp), tablespoons (Tbs), and fluid ounces (oz).