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ampule
a glass container that holds a single dose of liquid medication
aspiration
pulling back on the plunger to assess for blood return prior to injecting a medication
bevel
sharp, angled tip of the needle
buccal
placed between the gum and cheek
caplet
solid, compressed powder or granules
capsule
a powder or granules contained in a gelatin shell
compatibility
the capability of administering two or more medications together without the two interacting with one another
diluent
the liquid used to dilute a powdered medication into a liquid form
elixir
a liquid form of a medication that contains added sugars, flavors, and alcohol
emulsion
a solution that contains a medication, water, and oil mixture
enteric-coated tablet
a tablet covered in a substance that delays the medication from dissolving
gauge
the diameter of the hole in a needle
gelcap
a soft gelatin shell with a liquid medication inside
injector device
a spring-loaded syringe that delivers a single, preloaded dose of a medication when the device is firmly pressed against the body
intradermal (ID)
a medication route that injects the medication into the dermis
intramuscular (IM)
a medication route that injects the medication into a muscle
intrathecal
a medication route that injects the medication into the subarachnoid space around the spinal cord
intravenous (IV)
a medication route that injects the medication into a vein
lipoatrophy
the selective loss of subcutaneous fat without exudative reaction or fibrosis
lipohypertrophy
a lump of fatty tissue under the skin caused by repeated injections in the same place
lozenge
a medication with a candy base
Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST)
a skin test used to diagnose latent TB
needle
a hollow metal tube with a sharp pointed tip, called a bevel, and a hub that attaches the needle to the syringe or a needleless system
needleless system
a system that allows parenteral medications to be administered without the use of a needle
parenteral
a medication route that bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) system, eliminating the effects of first-pass metabolism when they are digested in the GI tract
powder
fine particles created from grinding a solid
prefilled syringe
a disposable syringe that is supplied with the necessary amount of the medication to be injected in a single dose
reconstitute
to add a liquid to a powdered medication to form a solution
subcutaneous (SQ)
a medication route that injects the medication into the adipose tissue
sublingual
placed under the tongue
suspension
undissolved medication particles that are mixed with a liquid agent
syringe
a sterile device that consists of a calibrated, cylinder-shaped barrel with a sliding plunger at one end and an open tip that attaches to a needle at the other end
syrup
a liquid form of a medication that contains added sugars and flavors
tablet
a compressed powder that has been formed into a solid, which disintegrates with body warmth and may be absorbed into the bloodstream
time-released
slow release of a medication for prolonged action
vial
a plastic or glass container with a rubber stopper on top that contains a liquid medication
wheal
a visible induration (elevation) of the skin
Z-track method
a method of IM medication administration that helps prevent the medication from leaking into the subcutaneous tissue
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