What is the correct procedure for applying topical medications?

Author: Mariano Upton  |  Last update: Monday, October 6, 2025

Wash your hands. And if your doctor told you to, wear disposable medical gloves. Squeeze a small amount of the cream or ointment onto your finger, and gently apply it to the area. You can spread it a little bit beyond the edge of the area.

How do you apply topical medication?

Spreading the topical ointment on the affected area carefully following application instructions Found on the MAR and/or topical medication container. If directed, places a dressing over the affected area. Remove excess topical medication from the skin with tissue if indicated.

How do you apply topical treatment?

The amount you need will depend on the size of the area being treated. Use enough of the preparation to cover the area being treated with a thin layer of cream. Apply the cream downwards in the direction of hair growth. Wash your hands again with soap and hot water, drying thoroughly.

What are the rules for topical medication?

Always wear gloves and maintain standard precautions when administering topical medications to the skin, mucous membranes, and tissues. Do not touch any preparations to your own skin, and turn your face away from powdered applications. Always clean the skin or wound before applying a new dose of topical medication.

How should topical medications be applied to the skin Quizlet?

Match
  1. Change gloves between prepping the skin and applying the medication. ...
  2. Avoid using a heating pad on or near the application site. ...
  3. Other medications the patient is taking. ...
  4. Allow the patient to apply the topical medication and provide feedback on technique. ...
  5. Apply the medication using sterile technique.

Topical Medications

What is the method of topical medication?

Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments. Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin.

What is the entry of a topical drug into the skin?

When the topical drug is applied to the skin, it must pass via the stratum corneum, which is the outermost skin layer. Stratum corneum's function includes prevention of water loss in skin and inhibit the penetration of foreign molecules into the dermal layers.

When applying topical medication, it is usually a good idea to?

Choose an area free of hair, abrasions, or irritation. Use gloves when applying ointment, cream, and lotion to avoid absorption of the medication into your skin. After application, label the patch with date, time, and your initials.

What is the right route for topical medication?

Topical medications are medications that are administered via the skin or mucous membranes for direct local action, as well as for systemic effects. An innunction is a medication that is massaged or rubbed into the skin and includes topical creams such as nystatin antifungal cream.

How should topical emollients be applied to the skin?

Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently in the same direction that your hair grows. This helps prevent hair follicles getting blocked.

What is topical application method?

Applying medication to the skin or mucous membranes allows it to enter the body from there. Medication applied in this way is known as topical medication. It can also be used to treat pain or other problems in specific parts of the body.

What and where would you document when applying a topical medication?

Medicines Application Record (TMAR) for each topical medication prescribed. Ideally this should include a body map. The TMAR should be checked and countersigned. The TMAR should be kept in the resident's room.

How should we apply liniments topically?

This medication is for use on the skin only. Apply to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times a day. If you are using the cream, gel, or liquid, rub in gently and thoroughly. Some liquid forms of this medication should be shaken before use.

How do you use topical treatment?

Proper Use
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  2. Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. ...
  3. With the lotion, shake it well before using.
  4. Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.

How to apply transdermal medication?

Place the adhesive side on the skin, then peel off the other half of the liner. Press the skin patch firmly with the palm of your hand for at least 30 seconds, making sure it adheres to the skin, especially at the edges. Remove your gloves and perform hand hygiene.

How to apply topical medications?

Wash your hands. And if your doctor told you to, wear disposable medical gloves. Squeeze a small amount of the cream or ointment onto your finger, and gently apply it to the area. You can spread it a little bit beyond the edge of the area.

What is the right route?

Right Route: Checking the Right Route

A nurse must ensure that the medication is being given by the correct route, such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. The nurse should verify that the route is appropriate for the medication and the patient.

What are the 7 steps of medication administration?

Follow the Seven Rights when you are administering medication to the individuals you support: Right Person, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route, Right Reason, and Right Documentation.

What are the methods of topical medication?

Topical medications are applied directly to body surfaces like the skin and mucous membranes. They come in many forms like creams, ointments, gels, and patches.

What are the three important things to do when applying transdermal patches?

In summary, you can achieve transdermal patch greatest effectiveness if you: guarantee adherence, perform a correct hygiene of the area, being constant in the application and avoiding heat sources. These general recommendations added to the medical indications will be the key to an effective treatment.

How do you know where a topical cream is to be applied?

The medicine should only be applied to affected areas of skin. Gently smooth a thin layer onto your skin in the direction the hair grows. Wash your hands before and after you've applied the medicine, unless you are treating an area on your hands.

What is the route of topical medication?

Topical administration is the route by which the active agent is administered on the skin and mucous membrane for the local or systemic action.

What is the route of administering medication through the skin?

Transdermal and subcutaneous

Subcutaneous administration is when a person uses a needle to inject the drug underneath the outer layers of the skin. Transdermal administration is simple, noninvasive, and painless. Uses include nicotine replacement therapy, hormonal medications, and hormonal contraceptives.

When applying topical applications, staff should?

Administering topical medication

Staff should ensure good hand hygiene, wash hands before applying gloves and after administering the products. This is particularly important when applying a steroid cream so that the active ingredient is not absorbed through staff member's skin.

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