WITHDRAWING MEDICATION FROM AN AMPULE
INTRODUCTION
Drugs for parenteral injections are sterile preparations. Drugs that deteriorate in
solution are dispensed as tablets or powders and dissolved in a solution immediately
before injection. Drugs that remain stable in a solution are dispensed in ampules and
vials in an aqueous or oily solution or suspension. Ampules are glass containers of
single-dose drugs. The glass container has a constriction in the stem to facilitate
opening the ampule. Because many drugs are irritating to the subcutaneous tissue, the
nurse should change the needle on the syringe after withdrawing a drug from an
ampule. The nurse should consider the use of a needle filter when withdrawing
medication from an ampule or vial.
The nurse should check the expiration date to ensure that the drug is current.
Outdated drugs should be returned to the pharmacy for proper disposal.
AMPOULE
EQUIPMENT
Medical administration record (MAR)
Ampule of prescribed medication .
Sterile syringe and needle
Sterile gauze or alcohol swab
Extra needle of proper gauge and length in Filter needle accord with site
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PROCEDURE
ACTION RATIONALE
1. Wash your hands. 1. Decreases transmission of
microorganisms.
2. Hold the ampule and quickly and 2. Moves the fluid trapped above
lightly tap the top chamber until all the neck of theampule to the
fluid flows into the bottom chamber. lower chamber of the ampule.
3. Place a sterile gauze or alcohol wipe 3. Contains the glass fragments and
around the neck of the ampule shields the nurse’s fingers from
the broken ampule.
4. Firmly grasp the neck of the ampule 4. Directs shattered glass fragments
and quickly snap the top off away away from the nurse’s face and
from your body. Place the ampule on fingers. Prevents spillage of
a flat surface. medication.
5. Withdraw the medication from the 5. Prevents the transmission of
ampule, maintaining sterile technique. microorganisms
Check connection of needle to Ensures an airtight system.
syringe by turning barrel to right
while holding needle guard.
Use a filter needle if recommended. Filters out fine glass particles.
Remove needle guard, and hold Promotes dexterity.
syringe in dominant hand.
With nondominant hand grasp Provides access to medication.
ampule and turn upside down, or
stabilize ampule on a flat surface.
Insert the needle into the center of the Prevents contamination of
ampule; do not allow the needle tip or shaft needle tip or shaft.
to touch the rim of the ampule.
Keep needle tip below level of Prevents air from entering
meniscus syringe and fluid from leaking
out while the ampule is inverted.
Aspirate the medication by gently Allows medication to enter the
pulling on the plunger. syringe.
If air bubbles are aspirated, remove Prevents loss of medication from
the needle from the ampule. Hold the ampule caused from air
syringe with needle pointing up and pressure. Moves air bubbles
tap sides of the [Link] back above the fluid level in the
slightly on plunger, and gently push syringe. Pulls medication from
the plunger upward to eject needle so only air is ejected from
[Link] the needle in the middle the syringe.
of the ampule and continue to
withdraw the medication.
6. Remove excess air from the syringe 6. Allows for accurate
and check the dosage of medication measurement of medication
in the syringe. Recap. dose. Prevents contamination of
the needle and protects the nurse
against inadvertent needlesticks.
7. Discard any unused portion of the 7. Sterility of a medication is lost in
medication, and dispose of the an open ampule.
ampule top in a suitable container
after comparing with MAR.
8. Change needle and properly discard 8. Reduces the risk that the drug
used needle. Secure needle to syringe will cause irritation to
by turning the barrel to right while subcutaneous tissue.
holding the needle guard.
9. Wash hands. 9. Prevents spread of
microorganisms.
SUMMARY
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Action
• Check connection of needle to syringe by
turning barrel to right while holding needle
guard.
Rationale
1. Decreases transmission of microorganisms.
2. Moves the fluid trapped above the neck of the
ampule to the lower chamber of the ampule.
3. Contains the glass fragments and shields the
nurse’s fingers from the broken ampule.
4. Directs shattered glass fragments away from the
nurse’s face and fingers. Prevents spillage of
medication.
5. Prevents the transmission of microorganisms.
• Ensures an airtight system.
(continues
Figure 29-
14 Snap open the ampule while holding a wipe or
gauze around the neck of the ampule, to protect against glass
fragments.
Use a filter needle if recommended.
• Remove needle guard, and hold syringe in
dominant hand.
• With nondominant hand grasp ampule and
turn upside down, or stabilize ampule on a
flat surface.
• Insert the needle into the center of the
ampule; do not allow the needle tip or shaft
to touch the rim of the ampule.
• Keep needle tip below level of meniscus
(Figure 29-15).
Rationale
• Filters out fine glass particles.
• Promotes dexterity.
• Provides access to medication.
• Prevents contamination of needle tip or
shaft.
• Prevents air from entering syringe and fluid
from leaking out while the ampule is
inverted.
(continues)
Figure 29-15 A. Invert ampule and draw fluid into the syringe. B. Remove filter needle and
replace with injection needle.
the plunger.
• If air bubbles are aspirated, remove the needle
from the ampule. Hold syringe with needle
pointing up and tap sides of the syringe.
Draw back slightly on plunger, and gently
push the plunger upward to eject air.
Reinsert the needle in the middle of the
ampule and continue to withdraw the
medication.
6. Remove excess air from the syringe and check
the dosage of medication in the syringe. Recap.
7. Discard any unused portion of the medication,
and dispose of the ampule top in a suitable container
after comparing with MAR.
8. Change needle and properly discard used needle.
Secure needle to syringe by turning the barrel
to right while holding the needle guard.
9. Wash hands.
Rationale
• Allows medication to enter the syringe.
• Prevents loss of medication from the
ampule caused from air pressure. Moves air
bubbles above the fluid level in the syringe.
Pulls medication from needle so only air is
ejected from the syringe.
6. Allows for accurate measurement of medication
dose. Prevents contamination of the needle and
protects the nurse against inadvertent needlesticks.
7. Sterility of a medication is lost in an open
ampule.
8. Reduces the risk that the drug will cause irritation
to subcutaneous tissue.
9. Prevents spread of microorganisms.
