How to draw med from ampules effectively

[seks]

Any tips?

I've seen people being able to draw almost all of the med up into the syringe and within seconds. I could never get that down properly.

Sometimes I would spend about 1 min trying to draw the med up with 25% or so remaining in the ampule (so far I haven't had to administer the whole ampule to a patient).

[nursynurseRN]

Any tips?

I've seen people being able to draw almost all of the med up into the syringe and within seconds. I could never get that down properly.

Sometimes I would spend about 1 min trying to draw the med up with 25% or so remaining in the ampule (so far I haven't had to administer the whole ampule to a patient).

Use a filter straw

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Set down your ampule. Get the correct syringe (use a syringe that is a little bigger than the amount of fluid in the ampule...for instance, use a 3 mL syringe for 1 mL of fluid). Attach the filter needle/filter straw to your syringe leaving the cap on the needle/straw. Hold the ampule with the tapered side up. Using and alcohol pad to protect your fingers, break off the tapered end of the ampule (the ampule should break at the thinnest part of the neck). Turn the ampule upside down (open end down)...vacuum and surface tension will hold the med in the ampule. Insert your needle just a tiny bit into the fluid and aspirate (don't inject any air into the ampule). When you get the last little bit of fluid in there, you may need to move the tip of the needle around a bit so that it is in the middle of the last pockets of fluid. Take the needle out, throw the ampule in the sharps, safely recap the needle, twist the needle off and throw it in the sharps. Purge the air from the syringe, and put a sterile cap on the syringe. Give your med per protocol.

[SwansonRN]

Good question. I've had to give a few meds in ampules lately and a few times I wound up with digoxin all over my hands. I agree, don't inject air after inverting the ampule, that was my mistake. Make sure to use a filter needle.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

An alcohol pad can slip and doesn't provide adequate protection, especially if the ampule breaks unevenly. Wad up a glove and use that to cushion the break.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

No I am not saying that the alcohol pad can't slip or whatever, but I was taught in school to use the alcohol pad or a 2x2 and I have yet to have an issue when opening an ampule.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I use an unopened alcohol wipe, and have never had it slip. Of course, there is a first time for everything, but I've opened lots of ampules that way and have never had an issue.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

A 2x2 is what I use. On the lidocaine I use it has a protective breakable sleeve wrapped around breaking area that assists the break and prevents any sharp edges.