A nurse is preparing to withdraw a prescribed parenteral medication from a glass ampule. Arrange the following actions in the correct chronological order to ensure safe preparation. All options must be used.
- 1Tap the top of the ampule lightly to move all fluid into the lower chamber.
- 2Place a sterile gauze pad or an unopened alcohol swab around the neck of the ampule.
- 3Snap the ampule neck firmly away from the body and hands.
- 4Attach a filter needle to the syringe and withdraw the prescribed amount of medication.
- 5Remove the filter needle, discard it in a sharps container, and attach an appropriate administration needle.
Answer
The correct sequence for safe ampule preparation is: tap the ampule, protect hands with a gauze pad, snap the neck away from the body, withdraw medication using a filter needle, and finally replace the filter needle with an administration needle.
The correct chronological sequence ensures both client and nurse safety when handling glass ampules. Fluid must first be displaced from the neck before breaking to ensure accurate dosing. The nurse's hands must be protected with gauze or an alcohol swab wrapper before snapping the neck away from the body to prevent lacerations. A filter needle is absolutely required to draw up the medication to trap any glass fragments that fall into the solution. Finally, the filter needle must be replaced with a standard needle prior to injection so that trapped glass is not forced into the client's tissues or bloodstream.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe medication preparation from a glass ampule using a filter needle
Estimated Time:1m 0s