Final answer:
When preparing medicine from an ampule, a nurse should use a filter needle to withdraw the medication and snap the ampule away from the body. The filter needle helps prevent glass shards from entering the syringe and should be replaced with a regular needle before administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct action when preparing a medication for administration from an ampule is to use a filter needle to withdraw the medication. This is because filter needles are designed to prevent glass particles from being drawn into the syringe after breaking the ampule. Once the medication is drawn up, the filter needle should be replaced with a regular needle for the injection. When breaking an ampule, you should not break it towards the body for safety reasons; it should be snapped away from yourself and others. Additionally, expelling air bubbles back into the ampule and setting the ampule on a flat surface while withdrawing the medication could introduce contaminants.
Moreover, to ensure aseptic techniques are upheld, it is advisable to hold tubes or bottles at an angle during the transfer to minimize contamination and passing the opening briefly through a flame before and after transfer to discourage airborne contaminants from entering the sterile liquid.