Indiana Qualified Medication Assistant (QMA) State Practice Exam

What is the main focus of medication irrigation?

1. To enhance skin absorption

2. To deliver precise dosages to joints

3. To cleanse and dispense medication to a specific area

4. To distribute medication over a large area

The correct answer is: To cleanse and dispense medication to a specific area

The main focus of medication irrigation is to cleanse and dispense medication to a specific area. This method involves the use of a fluid to wash out and deliver medication directly to a targeted site, often in a manner that ensures thorough coverage of the area needing treatment. It is particularly effective in situations such as wound care, where the goal is to remove debris and bacteria while simultaneously providing therapeutic agents directly at the site to promote healing. In cases where options discuss enhancing absorption or delivering dosages to joints, these may not encompass the primary intent of irrigation, which is more about direct application and cleansing. Medications delivered through irrigation typically aim for a localized effect rather than distributing medication broadly or enhancing systemic absorption. Thus, the focus on delivering medication to a specific area fittingly identifies the purpose of medication irrigation.