A nurse is preparing to reconstitute ampicillin for IM administration to a client who has urethritis.
Which of the following information should the nurse interpret from the medication label? (Refer to the medication label below.).
*This vial contains ampicillin sodium equivalent to 1 gram ampicillin.
For IM use, add 3.5 ml diluent (read accompanying insert). Resulting solution contains 250 mg ampicillin per mL. Use solution within 1 hour.
Usage dosage: Adults-250 to 500 mg IM qóh. READ ACCOMPANYING INSERT. T tor.
detailed indications, IM or IV dosage, and precautions.
Store the dry powder at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F) (See USP]). NDC 1234-1234-10. Ampicillin for Injection, UŠP. 1 gram per vial. For IM or IV Use.
End of label.
A. Instill 5 mL of diluent to the vial for reconstitution.
B. After reconstitution, the vial will contain a total of 500 mg of medication.
C. Administer the medication within 1 hr of reconstitution.
D. This medication can only be administered IM. .
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Administer the medication within 1 hr of reconstitution.
Explanation:
When preparing to reconstitute ampicillin for intramuscular (IM) administration, understanding the information provided on the medication label is crucial for safe and effective nursing practice.
Option A: “Instill 5 mL of diluent to the vial for reconstitution.”
This option is incorrect. The label specifies to add 3.5 mL of diluent for reconstitution. Using 5 mL would alter the concentration of the medication, resulting in a solution that does not match the intended dosing guidelines.
Option B: “After reconstitution, the vial will contain a total of 500 mg of medication.”
This statement is also incorrect. The vial contains 1 gram (or 1000 mg) of ampicillin sodium. When the appropriate diluent (3.5 mL) is added, the resulting solution will have a concentration of 250 mg per mL. Since there is 1 gram of ampicillin in the vial, it will yield 4 mL of solution after reconstitution (1000 mg / 250 mg/mL = 4 mL).
Option C: “Administer the medication within 1 hr of reconstitution.”
This option is correct. The label explicitly states to “use solution within 1 hour,” which emphasizes the importance of administering the medication promptly to ensure its efficacy and safety. After this timeframe, the stability of the medication could diminish, potentially reducing its therapeutic effectiveness or increasing the risk of contamination.
Option D: “This medication can only be administered IM.”
This statement is misleading. While the label indicates that ampicillin can be used for IM administration, it also states “for IM or IV use.” This means the medication can be administered through either route, depending on the clinical situation and provider orders.
In summary, the correct interpretation of the medication label leads to the understanding that the reconstituted ampicillin must be administered within one hour to ensure safety and efficacy, making option C the best answer.