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		Clinical Pearls \| Medication Administration

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Applying topical drugs

When applying pastes, creams, or ointments, keep these considerations in mind:

Wear gloves to avoid absorbing the drug through your own skin and to avoid cross-contamination.
Don't use too much pressure when applying the drug because it could abrade the skin.
Don't over-apply the drug because it may cause irritation and discomfort, stain clothing and bedding, and be harder to remove.
Don't apply an ointment to mucous membranes as liberally as you would to skin because mucous membranes are usually moist and absorb ointment more quickly than the skin.