A nurse is preparing an injection using a single dose glass ampule. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Shake the ampule to move the solution below the neck.
B.
Snap the top of the ampule towards hands.
C.
Wear sterile gloves when withdrawing the medication from the ampule.
D.
Use a filter needle to draw up the medication.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Use a filter needle to draw up the medication.
Explanation:
When preparing an injection from a single-dose glass ampule, it is critical for the nurse to follow proper procedure to ensure both the safety of the patient and the integrity of the medication. A glass ampule contains the medication sealed inside, and to access it, the ampule must be broken at its neck.
- Using a Filter Needle: The most important action is to use a filter needle to draw up the medication. When a glass ampule is snapped open, small glass particles can potentially enter the solution. A filter needle is designed to filter out these particles, preventing them from being drawn into the syringe and subsequently injected into the patient. This is crucial because injecting glass particles can cause serious harm, such as emboli, infections, or local tissue damage.
- Shaking the Ampule: Option A is incorrect because shaking the ampule is not necessary and can cause air bubbles or frothing, making it difficult to draw the medication accurately. Instead, gently tapping the ampule or swirling it can help move the solution into the body of the ampule if needed.
- Breaking the Ampule: Option B is incorrect because the ampule should be snapped open away from the hands to prevent injury from the sharp edges of the broken glass. The nurse should use a protective device like an ampule breaker or wrap the neck of the ampule in a gauze pad or alcohol swab to safely break it.
- Wearing Sterile Gloves: Option C is also incorrect because while clean gloves are often sufficient for medication preparation, sterile gloves are not required unless the procedure demands a sterile technique. The focus should be on preventing contamination of the needle and syringe rather than on sterility of the hands.
- Procedure: The proper procedure involves tapping the ampule lightly to ensure all fluid is below the neck, cleaning the neck with an alcohol swab, and then using a protective device to snap the ampule open away from the hands. Once open, a filter needle is used to draw up the medication. The filter needle is then replaced with an appropriate needle for the injection before administering the medication to the patient.
In summary, using a filter needle is crucial in preventing glass contamination from entering the syringe and ultimately being injected into the patient, which could lead to severe complications. The nurse must follow the correct procedure to ensure both safety and effectiveness when administering medication from a glass ampule.