Solutions; drops Liquid medication such as eye or ear drops?

• A. Gtt.
• B. Irrigating solutions (Lavages)
• C. Lozenge
• D. Gavage

Answer: (A)

When a liquid medication is meant to be instilled into the eye or ear, the common shorthand is guttae, abbreviated as gtt. This unit denotes a single drop, so instructions like “2 gtt” tell you to dispense two drops rather than a measured milliliter dose. This form is all about instillation of a small volume directly into the eye or ear.

Irrigating solutions (lavages) are used to rinse out a cavity, not to be instilled as drops. A lozenge is a solid meant to dissolve in the mouth, delivering medication orally. Gavage refers to delivering medication via a tube into the stomach.