Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Tel # 078-305-9176

Name: _______________________________ Date: ________________

Year Level & Section: ___________________

PREPARING MEDICATION FROM VIAL

STEPS RATINGS
ASSESSMENT 3 2 1
1. Assess allergies to medication
2. Specific drug action, side effects, interaction and adverse
reactions
3. Client’s knowledge of and learning needs about the medication
4. Intended route of parenteral medication to determine appropriate
size of syringe
5. Ordered medication for clarity and expiration date
6. Prepare the materials/ equipment needed.
 Client’s MAR/ Medication Card
 Vial of sterile medication
 Antiseptic swabs
 Syringe
 Sterile water or normal saline, if drug is in powdered form
SKILLS
7. Check the MAR
 Check the label on the vial carefully against the MAR to
make sure that the correct medication is being prepared.
 Follow the three checks for administering medication.
8. Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate infection
prevention procedures.
9. Prepare the medication vial for reconstitution
 Read the manufacturer’s direction
 Remove the protective cap or clean the rubber cap of a
previously opened vial with an antiseptic wipe by rubbing
in a circular motion.
 Withdraw an equivalent amount of air from the vial
before adding the diluent, unless otherwise indicated by
the directions
 Add the amount of sterile water or saline (diluent)
indicated in the direction into the vial.
 Mix the solution, if necessary, by rotating the vial
between the palms of the hands not by shaking.
10. Withdraw the medication
 Ensure that the needle is firmly attached to the syringe
 Remove the cap from the needle, then draw up into the
syringe the amount of air equal to the volume of the
medication to be withdrawn
 Carefully insert the needle into the upright vial through
the center of the rubber cap, maintaining the sterility of
the needle.
 Republic of the Philippines
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Echague, Isabela

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Tel # 078-305-9176

 Inject the air into the vial, keeping the bevel of the needle
above the surface of the medication
 Withdraw the prescribed amount of medication using
either of the two methods.
 Hold the syringe and vial at eye level to determine that
the correct dosage of the drug is drawn into the syringe.
Eject air remaining at the top of syringe into the vial.
 When the correct dosage volume of medication plus a
little more is obtained, withdraw the needle from the vial,
and replace the cap over the needle using the scoop
method thus maintaining its sterility.
11. If necessary, tap the syringe barrel to dislodge any air bubbles
present in the syringe
12. If giving an injection replace the needle with a new one of the
correct gauge and length. Eject air from the new needle and
verify correct medication volume before injecting the client
13. If multidose vial is reconstituted, label the vial with the date and
time it was prepared, the amount of drug contained in each
millilitre of solution and your initials.
14. Once the medication is reconstituted, store it in a refrigerator or
as recommended by the manufacturer
15. Discard the materials used to proper receptacle
16. Perform hand hygiene
17. Document
TOTAL

Rating Scale:

1- Needs Improvement
2- Satisfactory
3- Very Satisfactory

Rating:
RS x 100
N

Where: RS- Raw score

N- Total # of items

Clinical Instructor