Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has nausea and prescription for promethazine (Phenergan) 25 mg IM. Which of the following is appropriate when preparing a medication for administration from an ampule?

1) Wear gloves and use a filter needle to withdraw the medication
2) Use a regular needle to withdraw the medication
3) Shake the ampule vigorously before withdrawing the medication
4) Use a syringe with a smaller gauge needle to withdraw the medication

Answer 1

When preparing medication from an ampule, the appropriate practice is to wear gloves and use a filter needle to withdraw the medication, ensuring safety and avoiding contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing a medication for administration from an ampule, such as promethazine (Phenergan), it is appropriate to wear gloves and use a filter needle to withdraw the medication. This process minimizes the risk of contamination and prevents glass particles from entering the syringe after breaking the ampule. It is not recommended to shake the ampule vigorously as this can lead to medication loss or contamination.

The size of the syringe needle gauge is selected based on the viscosity of the medication and the site of injection; however, using a filter needle to withdraw is the most critical step for this procedure.