06.05 Medications in Ampules

Overview

1. Purpose
   1. Some medications are stored in glass ampules
   2. Must safely break the ampule to access the medication
   3. Must use a filter needle to prevent tiny shards of glass from being injected into patient

Nursing Points

General

1. Supplies needed
   1. Medication ampule
   2. Appropriate size syringe
   3. Filter needle
   4. Alcohol pad OR 2×2 gauze pads

Nursing Concepts

1. Steps and Nursing Considerations
   1. Verify provider order
   2. ALWAYS follow 5 rights BEFORE preparing medication
      1. Right Patient
      2. Right Drug
      3. Right Dose
      4. Right Route
      5. Right Time
   3. ALWAYS prepare medications at the patient’s bedside
   4. Gather supplies
   5. Perform hand hygiene
   6. Don clean gloves
   7. Let the patient know what meds they will be receiving
   8. Calculate the required volume of medication needed
   9. Choose appropriate size syringe
   10. Attach filter needle to syringe
   11. Hold the ampule in your nondominant hand
   12. Flick or tap ampule to bring all medication to the bottom
   13. Wrap a piece of gauze around the top of the ampule with your dominant and
       1. If the ampule has a DOT on the top, that is where you will put your thumb
   14. Using your thumbs, break the ampule open away from you
   15. Uncap the needle/syringe and withdraw the correct amount of liquid from the ampule
       1. May need to tilt the ampule to get to the liquid
   16. Safely recap and/or remove the filter needle and dispose in sharps container
   17. If not administering right away, LABEL the medication syringe:
       1. Drug name
       2. Dose / Volume
       3. Date / Time / Initials
       4. **Do not draw up more than one medication at a time without labelling the syringe(s)
   18. **Can use a piece of tape or a patient label/stickerFollow the appropriate steps for administration based on the prescribed route (IV, IM, SubQ, etc.)

Patient Education

1. Educate about administration of medication.