The nurse explains to a student nurse that a medication's effects may be local or systemic. Which of the following would be most likely to produce a local effect?

Question

A) Anti-inflammatory creams
B) Rectal suppositories
C) Antibiotic injection
D) Meter-dosed inhalers

Answer 1

A
Feedback:
Topical application (applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes) can cause a local effect. Anti-inflammatory creams and lotions and medications to relieve itching are examples of medications used for their local effects. These may be applied to the mucous membranes of the eye, mouth, nose, throat, vagina, or rectum by instillation, irrigation, swabbing, or spraying. Rectal suppositories are most often used as laxatives (a systemic effect), and antibiotic injections and meter-dosed inhalers cause systemic effects.