Reconstituting medication help

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Okay I'm a first semester student so bare with me here. I have a few questions about reconstitution.

In our practice kits we have amoxicillin in powdered form. It's not in a vial, it's in a little packet thingy. I know how to reconstitute using a vial but not a packet (like a packet of ketchup if you don't know what I mean)... how would you go about reconstituting this? My guess would be to open it into a medicine cup but that doesn't seem right.

Also, is amoxicillin usually in powdered form?

Heres what the packet says:

practi-amoxi

dosage 250 mg/5mL

add 10 mL water to reconstitute.

thats literally all the packet says. Also I assume it's safe to use tap water since it doesn't specify to use sterile or NS

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK vial is usually given via injection, what you describe is for oral. So which one is it?

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Its oral

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I guess a lot will depend on the policy where you are on how they reconstitute medication

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

when you receive medication in oral powder form you just use tap water. That is all the pharmacy does unless they use a flavoring additive.

for PO meds....shake vigorously

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Shake vigorously in what ​though?

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Specializes in LAD.

I get what you are asking! I don't know what you'd use to shake it in since it comes in a packet. You probably wouldn't want a cup because you wouldn't be able to shake it appropriately, but maybe you can ask pharmacy for a bottle?

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Most oral meds that come like that -- and there aren't that many -- you can put them in a cup of water or juice and stir them with, like, a spoon until you see they're all dissolved. Let's not overthink this. :)

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Okay I'm a first semester student so bare with me here. I have a few questions about reconstitution.

In our practice kits we have amoxicillin in powdered form. It's not in a vial, it's in a little packet thingy. I know how to reconstitute using a vial but not a packet (like a packet of ketchup if you don't know what I mean)... how would you go about reconstituting this? [Well, how would you reconstitute any powder (e.g. Kool-Aid)? You need some liquid and some means to mix it up... you could put it in a bowl and use a fork, for example... if you had a small bottle, you could empty the powder into the bottle and add water then shake vigorously...] My guess would be to open it into a medicine cup but that doesn't seem right. [Why not? Granted, you're going to have a bit of a challenge mixing it in a medicine cup but amoxicillin mixes up fairly readily.]

Also, is amoxicillin usually in powdered form? [For kiddos who can't take pills, you betcha.]

Heres what the packet says:

practi-amoxi

dosage 250 mg/5mL

add 10 mL water to reconstitute.

thats literally all the packet says. [sounds pretty simple, huh? Good news is, it is...] Also I assume it's safe to use tap water since it doesn't specify to use sterile or NS [Of course... why would you use sterile water for a non-sterile reconstitution (medicine cup, bowl, bottle...) to be given in a non-sterile manner (the mouth? Eww... filthy place...)]

You're over-thinking this...
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Shake vigorously in what ​though?

Packet...I see what you want...med cup. stir with a tongue blade.

In the real world they come in little plastic bottles.

Heres what the packet says:

practi-amoxi

dosage 250 mg/5mL

add 10 mL water to reconstitute

which gives you a final concentration of 125mg/5mls

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