Topical Medication Administration Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Topical Medication Administration flashcards as text
Which topical formulation typically has the longest shelf life once opened?
Answer: Anhydrous ointments
Anhydrous ointments (water-free) resist microbial contamination and oxidation better than water-containing formulations, giving them a longer shelf life after opening.
When applying topical medication to a skin fold (intertriginous area), what special consideration is most important?
Answer: Use the lowest effective concentration due to enhanced absorption
Skin folds have increased moisture, friction, and occlusion that enhance drug absorption, so lower concentrations or less potent formulations are used to prevent systemic side effects.
A topical medication is labeled 'for external use only.' This means the technician should instruct the patient to avoid applying it to:
Answer: Mucous membranes
'External use only' means the medication should not be applied to mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, genitalia) because absorption is greatly enhanced and toxicity may result.
A patient is using topical benzoyl peroxide and topical tretinoin for acne. The CDT should advise the patient to:
Answer: Apply them at separate times of day as they can inactivate each other
Benzoyl peroxide oxidizes tretinoin and inactivates it when used simultaneously; they should be applied at different times (e.g., benzoyl peroxide in the morning, tretinoin at night).
What is the primary purpose of a skin patch test before applying a new topical medication?
Answer: To assess for allergic or irritant reactions before full application
A patch test applies a small amount of medication to a limited area first to identify potential allergic contact dermatitis or irritant reactions before widespread use.
Topical imiquimod (Aldara) works by:
Answer: Stimulating the local immune response to fight infections and tumors
Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that activates Toll-like receptor 7, triggering local cytokine release to help the immune system eliminate HPV-related lesions and superficial skin cancers.
When documenting topical medication administration in a patient's chart, which detail is least necessary to include?
Answer: The brand name versus generic manufacturer of the product
While medication name, concentration, site, and patient response are all clinically important, the specific manufacturer (brand vs. generic) is generally not required for clinical documentation purposes.