Question

A nurse is preparing to draw up medication from a vial. which action should the nurse implement first?

a. ensure that the needle is firmly attached to the syringe
b. rub vigorously back and forth over the rubber cap with an alcohol swab
c. inject air into the vial with the needle bevel below the surface of the medication
d. instill slightly more air than the volume of medication to be withdrawn from the vial

Answer 1

The first step in drawing medication from a vial is to clean the rubber cap with an alcohol swab to ensure a sterile environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is preparing to draw up medication from a vial, the first action that should be implemented is b. rub vigorously back and forth over the rubber cap with an alcohol swab. This is a critical step to ensure aseptic technique and prevent contamination of the medication. After cleaning the top of the vial, it is often recommended to let the alcohol dry for a few seconds before inserting the needle. This step precedes drawing air into the syringe or connecting the needle firmly to the syringe.