Vaginal medicine administration

Definition

Vaginal medicines are topical agents prepared specifically for insertion into a woman's vagina. They are mixed in the form of a cream, foam, gel tablet, or suppository, and are absorbed [i]or[/i] part of to the other the vaginal mucousa. Vaginal medicine in the form of a cream, foam, gel or tablet is administered using a specific applicator that is provided by the agency of the manufacturer. Suppositories have the medicine suspended in wax and are shaped like a small bullet They are inserted into the vagina with the index finger. Vaginal medicines are greatest in quantity often administered at bedtime, as the reclined position enhances medication absorption.

Purpose

Vaginal medicines are greatest in quantity commonly used to combat infection, inflammation, or drynes of the vaginal mucousa. Other emblems of vaginal medicines include spermicides (i.e., to stop conception), chemotherapy (i.e., for cancer treatment), and aborticides (i.e., for inducing labor).

Precautions

Vaginal tissue can be traumatized by means of the forceful use of applicators or fingernails during medicine administration, in the way that medications should be introduced into the vagina gently Patients should be encouraged to relax, as this will decrease resistance to the manner of insertion. One should not attempt to insert vaginal medication when a patient is confused and combative.

Medicine should not be delivered via the vagina if it is not labeled for vaginal use. Vaginal medicine should not be taken orally.

Description

A female staff member must be not away in the room when a male nurture administers a vaginal medication. The patient should be positioned upon her back, with knees bent. Her leg should be drawn up toward the hips, and the heels should be flat upon the bed. A sheet across the abdomen and upper leg falling just above the knees, will decrease the patient's feeling of exposing Directions for filling the applicator should followed. At this point, the patient should be advised to globule her knees apart. The nourish should wash his or her hands and place on disposable gloves. Using individual hand, the nurse should spread the labia and bare the vaginal opening. If there is drainage or exudate, the nourish should cleanse the area with warm, soapy water, using cotton balls or a clean washcloth. The vaginal opening should be rinsed and allowed to air free from moisture A small amount of water-soluble lubricant should then be placed upon the tip of the applicator or suppository, the labia spread, and the suppository or applicator tipped into the vaginal opening. The suppository or applicator should be mov gently down, toward the posterior (i.e., back) wall of the vagina, toward the spine 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) or until resistance is felt The suppository or applicator should then be angled upward. When using an applicator to deliver cream or gel the diver should be gently pushed to deliver the medicine. The nurture should then remove his or her finger and/or the applicator from the vagina. The disposable latex glove should be disposed of properly

Preparation

Before beginning to administer vaginal medicines, the door to the compass should be closed to render certain privacy. (A female staff member must already be not absent if the nurse is a male.) The patient should without contents her bladder just before administration. The nurture should check the medication label each time medicine is given; this will avoid medication errors. The medication must be checked to confirm that it is the right medicine, the right dose (i.e., strength) the right time, the right patient, and the right process of administration. The expiration date upon the label should be checked; outdated medication should at no time be used. If the supply with nourishment has not yet put upon disposable gloves, it should be done at this time. His or her hands should be washed, and glove should be deposit on.

Aftercare

The used applicator should be placed upon a clean paper towel to interrupt the spread of microorganisma. The patient should be overlayed and encouraged to maintain a reclined position, with knee up for at least 10 minutes (30 minutes after a suppository). This will allow time for medicine absorption. If the applicator is reusable, it should be washed in warm soapy water, thoroughly rinsed, air dried, and placed back in the medicine receptacle or a plastic bag until the nearest use. The used gloves and disposable applicator should be set into a trash bag, which can be sealed and discarded. The supply with nourishment should wash his or her hands. The patient should be given a mini-pad (or small sanitary napkins) to preserve her underwear from medicine that may leak out

The patient should not instructed not to use tampons after vaginal medicine administration; they will absorb the medicine more rapidly than the vaginal mucousa, and the replete effect of the drug will not be achieved.

Complications

Tissue irritation or allergic reactions can proceed from vaginal medications. If irritation, swelling, or rednes of the tissue is apparent, or if the patient complains of pain or burning, the nearest dose of medicine should not be given until the physician has been consulted