A nurse is preparing to draw up a prescribed intravenous medication from a glass ampule. Arrange the following steps in the correct chronological order to ensure safe preparation.
- 1Tap the top of the ampule lightly to move all fluid into the lower chamber.
- 2Wrap a sterile gauze pad or an unopened alcohol swab around the ampule neck.
- 3Snap the ampule neck quickly and firmly away from the body.
- 4Attach a filter needle to a syringe and withdraw the medication.
- 5Remove the filter needle and attach an appropriate injection needle.
Answer
The correct chronological order for preparing medication from an ampule is: tap the ampule to clear the fluid from the neck, wrap the neck with a protective pad, snap the neck away from the body, withdraw the medication using a filter needle, and finally replace the filter needle with a standard injection needle.
Safe preparation of medication from a glass ampule follows a strict chronological sequence to prevent injury to the nurse and client. Tapping the ampule ensures the entire dose is in the lower chamber. Wrapping the neck provides a physical barrier, and snapping away from the body protects against flying glass. Using a filter needle is mandatory to prevent glass aspiration, and replacing it before administration ensures glass particles are not injected into the client.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe medication preparation from a glass ampule requires protecting the nurse from glass cuts and protecting the client from glass shards by using a filter needle.