The nurse is preparing an intramuscular (IM) injection for a client with strep throat. Which principles of absorption may have guided the health care provider's decision to order the medication by IM route?
1. IM drugs are rapidly absorbed.
2. IM drugs bypass the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in increased absorption.
3. IM drugs avoid drug–drug and food–drug interactions, which can decrease absorption.
4. IM drugs have the ability to accumulate in the muscle and may remain in the body for an extended amount of time.
5. IM drugs bypass the gastrointestinal tract and are delivered to the small intestine, where most medications are rapidly absorbed.
Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Muscles have a high blood flow, which maximizes absorption.
Rationale 2: The thick mucous layer of the stomach decreases absorption. IM drugs bypass this obstacle, resulting in increased absorption.
Rationale 3: Oral medications and food can interfere with absorption of medications. Bypassing the gastrointestinal tract will remove this possibility.
Rationale 4: Some tissues do have the ability to accumulate and store drugs. Muscle tissue is not one of these. The bone marrow, teeth, eyes, and adipose tissue have an affinity to store drugs.
Rationale 5: IM drugs do bypass the gastrointestinal tract but are not exposed to the small intestine. IM drugs are absorbed from the muscle into the blood stream.
Global Rationale: Health care providers may order medications by IM injection for many reasons. Some reasons include the fact that muscles have a high blood flow, which maximizes absorption; the thick mucous layer of the stomach decreases absorption, which IM drugs bypass; and oral medications and food can interfere with absorption of medications. Some tissues do have the ability to accumulate and store drugs. Muscle tissue is not one of these. The bone marrow, teeth, eyes, and adipose tissue have an affinity to store drugs. IM drugs do bypass the gastrointestinal tract but are not exposed to the small intestine. IM drugs are absorbed from the muscle into the blood stream.
You might also like to view...
A client is having a bone marrow biopsy and is extremely anxious. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess client fears and coping mechanisms. b. Reassure the client this is a common test. c. Sedate the client prior to the procedure. d. Tell the client he or she will be asleep.
Older women who live alone tend to be from lower income groups than those who are married
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
A patient is to receive IV immunoglobulin. Prior to administration, the nurse should implement which intervention?
A) Only administer immunoglobulin through a central line B) Administer IV immunoglobulin at 10 mL/minute C) Administer furosemide prior to and with immunoglobulin D) Weigh the patient before administration to determine onset of edema
Caffeine is the most commonly used CNS stimulant in the United States
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.