Burns cause large fluid shifts and can decrease perfusion to the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in inconsistent absorption of oral medications. Burns damage the muscle and subcutaneous tissue, causing generalized body edema and decreased circulating blood volume. These physiological changes reduce the absorption ability for the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes (Options 1, 3, and 4). The best way to get medication into the system of a client with severe burns is to access the circulatory system directly via the intravenous route.
Educational objective: In clients with severe burns, medications are best administered through the intravenous route given the possibility of reduced absorption from other routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral).
Burns cause large fluid shifts and can decrease perfusion to the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in inconsistent absorption of oral medications. Burns damage the muscle and subcutaneous tissue, causing generalized body edema and decreased circulating blood volume. These physiological changes reduce the absorption ability for the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes (Options 1, 3, and 4). The best way to get medication into the system of a client with severe burns is to access the circulatory system directly via the intravenous route.
Educational objective: In clients with severe burns, medications are best administered through the intravenous route given the possibility of reduced absorption from other routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral).
