Question 1
When removing medication from an ampule, the nurse should:
Your Answer:
Add a volume of air to the ampule to push the medication out into the syringe
Rationale:
The nurse should keep the needle tip under the surface of the fluid and tip the ampule so that the fluid is within reach to prevent aspiration of air. The ampule should be broken away from the hands to avoid injury to the nurse. Air should not be added to the ampule; increasing air pressure may force fluid out of the ampule. Solution can drip out of the ampule if the needle touches the rim.
Question 2
If air bubbles are aspirated while a medication is being drawn up from an ampule, the nurse should:
Your Answer:
Expel the air bubbles into the ampule
Rationale:
If air bubbles are aspirated, the correct technique to remove the air is to tap the side of the syringe with the needle pointing upward. Bubbles rise to the tip of the syringe and can be gently expelled without loss of medication. Changing the needle would not decrease the number of air bubbles in the syringe. Expelling the air into the ampule may result in medication being forced out of it. Returning medication and air to the ampule may result in loss of medication.
Question 3
When preparing medication from a single-dose vial, the nurse should:
Your Answer:
Aspirate the entire contents of the vial to obtain the correct dose
Rationale:
Manufacturers often include a small amount of extra liquid in a medication vial in case of loss during preparation; therefore, the nurse should be sure to withdraw only the desired amount of medication from the vial. Pulling forcefully on the plunger may result in excess air in the syringe and may cause the plunger to separate from the barrel with subsequent medication loss. Aspirating the entire contents of the vial may increase the likelihood of particles entering the syringe. Air should be added to the vial airspace to enable medication to be withdrawn.
Question 4
When reconstituting medications that are packaged in dry powdered form, the nurse should:
Your Answer:
Change needles after injecting the diluent into the vial
Rationale:
The vial label specifies the amount of diluent to be used to dissolve the powdered drug and prepare the desired drug concentration. The nurse must measure precisely the amount of diluent to be used. The vial should be rolled gently to disperse the particles, not shaken, to prevent formation of air bubbles. The medication should be mixed just before use. It is not necessary to change needles after injecting the diluent. The needle should be verified to be the appropriate gauge and length before the medication is administered to the patient.