(A). INHALATIONS: These may be liquid preparation containing volatile substances and are used to relieve congestion and 
inflammation of the respiratory tract. The liquid pneparation are added to hot water with vapour and inhaled' example is tinc  Benzoine.

There are other medicines for inhalation which are given through special inhalers in cases of asthma and chronic obstruction pulmonary diseases. These medicines may be in the from of capsule which is broken in the inhaler and then inhaled through the mouth by taking a deep breath 


(b) mouth washes :these are aquous solutions with pleasant taste and smell used to clean the mouth cavity. 

(c) gargle: the medicine  used are in aqueous solutions which are diluted with warm water before use. They are used to relieve soreness in mild throat infection. Warm saline gargle is quite commonly prescribed 

(d) eye, ear and nasal drops:
(1) eye drops: these are sterile solution or suspension of drugs that are instilled into the eye. The eye drops commonly used are anti inflammatory,  anaesthetic, miotic,  mydriatic drugs or antibiotics 

(2) Ear Drops: 

these are solutions of drugs which are instilled into the ear by dropper.  These are generally used for softenting of earwax or for treating mild infection 

(3) nasal drops: these are solution of drugs which are instilled into the nose with a dropper.  they are used to relieve nasal congestion  or for treating  mild local infection. 

(e) topical application :  these are drugs which are for external application to the skin or mucous membrane. They  may be in the form of lotions, sprays, ointments,  creams, pastes and jellies. The ointments which are meant for  application to the eye are know as ophthalmic ointment.

(f)  rectal route of drug adminstration  : there are certain drug  which are administered through rectum. These are suppositories  and enemas.  

(g)  oral route : most of the medicines prescribed by the doctor are to be taken it administered by mouth ( oral route)  . They  May be :

(1) sublingual : these are drug, usually in tablet from which have to be placed beneath the tongue, from where it is absorbed through the mucous. Common drugs in this group are those for relieving angrinal pain 

(2) mouth dissolving : now many drugs are coming as mouth, dissolving tablets (me).  They are not to be swallowed but to be kept in the mouth, where it gets dissolved and is absorbed through the mucous. 

(3) TO BE SWALLOWED: Most of the drugs final orally have to be swallowed by the patient. The drugs in the category are in the formof tables, capsules, syrup, elixir or suspension. 
                        Most patient coming to the doctors in their clinic are of outdoor nature I.e. they come, get themselves examine and after getting the doctors advice and prescription go back home. It is the duty of the basic Medical assistant working with the doctor to explain to the patients and their attendents how, when and how many times the prescribed medicines have to be taken or administerd however if the basic Medical assistant is working with a doctor in nursing home he has to administer medicines even by oral route to the patient admitted in the nursing home. Certain precautions are to taken while administering the oral medicines to the patients lying in bed. The patient must be made to sit or if he/she is unable to sit, he/she should be proped up in bed and back of the patient well supported before giving the medicine by mouth, otherwise there is a chance of the medicine or the water, needed for swallowing the tablet or capule to enter the respiratory track causing respiratory distress.