Nurses Medications
Published Mar 19, 2015
mugs
56 Posts
Need some tips
How to crush medications finely so that they are not stuck in the syringe and flow freely in the peg tube? Please advice. Any tips to dissolve the powdered medications would ne highly helpful and any technique to administer the medications would be highly appreciated. Thanks
mudd68
82 Posts
This is a little tip from my bedside days, which to be honest was years ago now, but I do remember a little technique taught to me by an older instructor. It was to GENTLY swirl, twirl, rotate, however you want to call it, your syringe around in circular motion while the fluid/meds are going in by gravity. It keeps the particulate matter/crushed meds from clumping up at the tip. Keeps them suspended in the fluid so to speak. Also, it never hurts, actually is/was recommended, to flush with H2O intermittently if giving more than one or two crushed meds at a time!
loriangel14, RN
6,931 Posts
Are you dissolving them in hot water first?
No I did not think of that I use water at room temp
PennyS
130 Posts
Need some tipsHow to crush medications finely so that they are not stuck in the syringe and flow freely in the peg tube? Please advice. Any tips to dissolve the powdered medications would ne highly helpful and any technique to administer the medications would be highly appreciated. Thanks
I have had the most success using a pestle and crushing right in the packaging. I then pour into a medicine cup, mix with warm water and draw up. I've never had problems with tube getting clogged.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Depending on the meds, I use water as hot as possible first, then mix with cool water or allow it to cool at room temperature while swirling it so often before administering. Some meds I prepare early, give them a long time to dissolve completely.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN
5,047 Posts
I do the swirling thing too, and yes dissolve them in warm water. If you've ever taken chemistry, remember that to increase water's solvent property, to heat it up and agitate it? Also make sure you're using enough water.
hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I
4 Articles; 5,165 Posts
Here's what I do - First crush the meds as fine as possible it sometimes takes a bit of effort the I take the Plunger off the syringe and put about 20 cc of H2O in it and add the meds Put the plunger back on being careful not to spill it. Leave some air space and vigorously shake the syringe until you don't see any solid pieces expel the air from the syringe Then administer through G-Tube - Flush G-tube well with 30 cc H20 before and after administration to make sure the tube is patent. Also flush the syringe well after use so your not leaving a crusty dried mess for the nurse who follows you. :)
Hppy