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Accuracy of an Oral Liquid Measuring Device

Description

The device used to measure an oral dosage form has implications for the accuracy of the dose that a patient receives. This can be important if the drug shows a narrow therapeutic range or if there is a certain amount of drug that needs to be delivered.


 

Formulation-related factors:

(1) viscosity of the liquid formulation

 

Patient or caregiver related factors:

(1) poor eyesight

(2) tremor

(3) confusion

(4) intoxication

(5) familiarity with or education about the process

(6) failure to swallow dose (including drooling or spitting out)

 

Device-related factors:

(1) ability to read dosage markings

(2) difference between units of dose and markings (for example, dose in mg and device in mL)

(3) confusion based on assumptions about a device (syringes are for injection)

(4) cleanliness and freedom from accumulated crud

(5) variation in measuring device (a standardized device specific to a medication tends to be more accurate than a household item such as a spoon).

 


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Specialty

ICD-10