RCTC NURS 1117 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | UNITS 1–6, PHARMACOLOGY, EXAM 2 &
MEDICATIONS 2026/2027
Routes of Administration - ANS ✔✔1. Enteric
2. Parenteral
3. Percutaneous
Enteral Route
- Define and give examples - ANS ✔✔Definition: Medications are administered directly into the
gastrointestinal tract
Examples:
- oral
- rectal
- gastrointestinal tubes(GI)
- Nasogastric tube (NG)
- Nasojejunal tube (small bowel) - NU
- G tube
- J tube
Parenteral Route
- define and give examples (3) - ANS ✔✔Definition: This route bypasses the GI tract. Injections
through skin, muscle, and directly into veins.
Types:
* Subcutaneous- SQ
* Intramuscular- IM
,* Intravenous- IV
Percutaneous Route
- Define and give examples - ANS ✔✔Definition: Involves medications that are absorbed
through the skin and mucus membranes.
Examples:
- Inhalation nebulizers, MDI (metered dose inhaler), DPI (dry powder inhaler)
- Sublingual (under the tongue)
- Topical (on the skin)
- Eye Drops
- Ear Drops
- Nose Drops
Principles of Pharmacokinetics
(there's an acronym)
A.D.M.E - ANS ✔✔- The 5 stages that medications go through after administration
1. Liberation
2. Absorption
3. Distribution
4. Metabolism
5. Excretion
1. Liberation (principle of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Define: After release from the dosage
form the medication will be dissolved into body fluids before it can be absorbed.
,Oral meds are liberated from dosage form (capsule, tablet)and disintegrate into the active form
which has been dissolved in gastrointestinal tract (GI) fluids, so it can be transported across
stomach or intestinal linings into the blood
◦ This process generally takes about half an hour
2. Absorption (principle of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Define: The process whereby meds are
transferred from the site of entry into the body to the circulating fluids (blood, lymph) for
distribution
◦ Important points to consider:
- With oral meds be sure to provide adequate amounts of water- usually 8 oz
- With parenteral forms ensure they are given correctly
- Reconstitute and dilute meds only as directed by the manufacturer
- Rate of absorption across skin and mucous membranes depends on rate of blood flow
Part 1: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔Special considerations for pediatric and
older adult patients:
- Differences in muscle mass, blood flow, and inactivity affect medicines given intramuscularly
- Topical and transdermal administration differs in the very young and the very old
◦ Factors that place older patient at risk include:
- Reduced renal and hepatic function
◦ Polypharmacy - multiple-drug therapy required by chronic illness
Part 2: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔◦ Gastrointestinal absorption influenced
by:
, - Gastric pH (infants & elderly have more acidic stomach)
- Gastric emptying time
- Enzymatic activity
- Blood flow of mucous lining and intestines
Part 3: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔Topical administration in infants is
effective because:
◦ Outer layer of skin (stratum corneum) not fully developed (THINNER)
◦ Skin more fully hydrated; plastic diaper increases skin hydration
◦ Inflammation (diaper rash) increases absorption
3. Distribution (principles of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Definition: Refers to how the
medication is circulated by the body fluids (generally blood) to the site of action
◦ Certain organs receive the medications more rapidly because of their extensive blood supply-
ie. brain, liver,kidneys, heart
◦ Areas with less extensive blood supply receive the medications slowly- ie. muscle, skin, fat
◦ Medication distribution depends on two factors:
- Protein binding and lipid solubility
Distribution Considerations
- 3 main points - ANS ✔✔◦ Protein binding◦
- Drugs that are relatively insoluble are transported in circulation by binding to plasma proteins
MEDICATIONS 2026/2027
Routes of Administration - ANS ✔✔1. Enteric
2. Parenteral
3. Percutaneous
Enteral Route
- Define and give examples - ANS ✔✔Definition: Medications are administered directly into the
gastrointestinal tract
Examples:
- oral
- rectal
- gastrointestinal tubes(GI)
- Nasogastric tube (NG)
- Nasojejunal tube (small bowel) - NU
- G tube
- J tube
Parenteral Route
- define and give examples (3) - ANS ✔✔Definition: This route bypasses the GI tract. Injections
through skin, muscle, and directly into veins.
Types:
* Subcutaneous- SQ
* Intramuscular- IM
,* Intravenous- IV
Percutaneous Route
- Define and give examples - ANS ✔✔Definition: Involves medications that are absorbed
through the skin and mucus membranes.
Examples:
- Inhalation nebulizers, MDI (metered dose inhaler), DPI (dry powder inhaler)
- Sublingual (under the tongue)
- Topical (on the skin)
- Eye Drops
- Ear Drops
- Nose Drops
Principles of Pharmacokinetics
(there's an acronym)
A.D.M.E - ANS ✔✔- The 5 stages that medications go through after administration
1. Liberation
2. Absorption
3. Distribution
4. Metabolism
5. Excretion
1. Liberation (principle of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Define: After release from the dosage
form the medication will be dissolved into body fluids before it can be absorbed.
,Oral meds are liberated from dosage form (capsule, tablet)and disintegrate into the active form
which has been dissolved in gastrointestinal tract (GI) fluids, so it can be transported across
stomach or intestinal linings into the blood
◦ This process generally takes about half an hour
2. Absorption (principle of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Define: The process whereby meds are
transferred from the site of entry into the body to the circulating fluids (blood, lymph) for
distribution
◦ Important points to consider:
- With oral meds be sure to provide adequate amounts of water- usually 8 oz
- With parenteral forms ensure they are given correctly
- Reconstitute and dilute meds only as directed by the manufacturer
- Rate of absorption across skin and mucous membranes depends on rate of blood flow
Part 1: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔Special considerations for pediatric and
older adult patients:
- Differences in muscle mass, blood flow, and inactivity affect medicines given intramuscularly
- Topical and transdermal administration differs in the very young and the very old
◦ Factors that place older patient at risk include:
- Reduced renal and hepatic function
◦ Polypharmacy - multiple-drug therapy required by chronic illness
Part 2: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔◦ Gastrointestinal absorption influenced
by:
, - Gastric pH (infants & elderly have more acidic stomach)
- Gastric emptying time
- Enzymatic activity
- Blood flow of mucous lining and intestines
Part 3: Drug Absorption: Age Considerations - ANS ✔✔Topical administration in infants is
effective because:
◦ Outer layer of skin (stratum corneum) not fully developed (THINNER)
◦ Skin more fully hydrated; plastic diaper increases skin hydration
◦ Inflammation (diaper rash) increases absorption
3. Distribution (principles of pharmacokinetics) - ANS ✔✔Definition: Refers to how the
medication is circulated by the body fluids (generally blood) to the site of action
◦ Certain organs receive the medications more rapidly because of their extensive blood supply-
ie. brain, liver,kidneys, heart
◦ Areas with less extensive blood supply receive the medications slowly- ie. muscle, skin, fat
◦ Medication distribution depends on two factors:
- Protein binding and lipid solubility
Distribution Considerations
- 3 main points - ANS ✔✔◦ Protein binding◦
- Drugs that are relatively insoluble are transported in circulation by binding to plasma proteins
