The form of medication which is in liquid suspension, applied externally to protect skin is?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

A lotion is defined as a liquid preparation intended for external application to the skin, which directly matches the question's criteria.
Lotions can be formulated as suspensions, which are mixtures of a powder in a liquid that require shaking before use (e.g., calamine lotion).
The primary purpose of many lotions is to provide a protective, cooling, or soothing effect on the skin, fitting the description 'to protect skin'.
Unlike liniments, lotions are applied without friction, and unlike pastes, they are liquid, not semi-solid.

Option A: A pill is a solid dosage form intended for oral administration (to be swallowed). It is not applied externally to the skin.
Option C: A liniment is a liquid preparation, but it is typically oily or alcoholic and is applied with friction or rubbing to relieve pain or stiffness. Its primary purpose is analgesic or counter-irritant, not skin protection.
Option D: A paste is a semi-solid preparation, not a liquid suspension. While it is used externally for protection, its physical form is thick and stiff.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of topical medication forms based on their physical properties and use as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the different forms of topical medications is crucial for nurses to ensure proper administration and achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Incorrect application can lead to adverse effects. For example, applying a liniment (meant for rubbing) to broken or inflamed skin can cause significant irritation, whereas a protective lotion might be indicated.
Patient education is a key nursing responsibility. A nurse must instruct the patient to shake a suspension-based lotion before use to ensure the active ingredients are evenly distributed.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question into key characteristics: 1) form: 'liquid suspension', 2) application route: 'applied externally', and 3) purpose: 'to protect skin'.
Evaluate each option against these three characteristics.
Eliminate 'Pill' immediately, as it is a solid medication for oral use, not external.
Compare the remaining topical options. Recall that a 'liniment' is for rubbing to relieve pain, and a 'paste' is a thick semi-solid, not a liquid.
Identify that 'Lotion' is the only option that is a liquid (often a suspension), applied externally, and commonly used for skin protection.
This systematic elimination based on the defining properties of each medication form leads to the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of topical medication forms based on their physical properties and use.
Stem keywords: medication, liquid suspension, applied externally, protect skin
Lead-in keywords: is
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 66-68

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 133-135

E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 46-48

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.