MACE Routes of Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident needs a nitroglycerin tablet for chest pain. The medication aide places it under the resident's tongue. What is this route called?
- Buccal
- Sublingual (Correct answer)
- Oral
- Transmucosal
Correct answer: Sublingual
Sublingual administration means placing medication under the tongue where it dissolves and absorbs rapidly into the bloodstream.
Question 2: Which route of administration bypasses the digestive system entirely and delivers medication directly into the bloodstream?
- Oral
- Rectal
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
- Sublingual
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous (IV) administration delivers medication directly into a vein, bypassing the digestive system and providing the fastest onset of action.
Question 3: A medication aide is applying a medicated patch to a resident's skin. This is an example of which route?
- Topical
- Transdermal (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous
- Intradermal
Correct answer: Transdermal
Transdermal patches deliver medication through the skin into the bloodstream over an extended period of time.
Question 4: Which route of administration is most appropriate for a resident who is vomiting and cannot keep oral medications down?
- Oral tablet
- Sublingual tablet
- Rectal suppository (Correct answer)
- Buccal tablet
Correct answer: Rectal suppository
Rectal suppositories are an appropriate alternative when a resident cannot tolerate oral medications due to vomiting or nausea.
Question 5: When instilling ear drops, the medication aide should pull the ear pinna in which direction for an adult resident?
- Down and back
- Up and back (Correct answer)
- Down and forward
- Straight back
Correct answer: Up and back
For adults, the ear pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal and allow drops to reach the eardrum.
Question 6: A medication labeled 'OU' for eye drops means the medication aide should administer it to:
- The right eye only
- The left eye only
- Both eyes (Correct answer)
- The eye with infection only
Correct answer: Both eyes
The abbreviation 'OU' comes from the Latin 'oculus uterque,' meaning both eyes.
Question 7: Which statement about the buccal route of administration is correct?
- Medication is swallowed immediately
- Medication is placed between the cheek and gum (Correct answer)
- Medication is applied to the outer skin
- Medication is inhaled through the nose
Correct answer: Medication is placed between the cheek and gum
Buccal medications are placed between the cheek and gum where they dissolve and absorb through the mucous membrane.
MACE Routes of Administration 2
A resident needs a nitroglycerin tablet for chest pain.
The medication aide places it under the resident's tongue.
What is this route called?