Charnese
drawing up a med in lab
Charnese drawing up a med in lab
Alissa giving an injection in lab 
Calculations of parenteral dosages must take into account the type of syringes in which they will be measured.
The rules for rounding off as listed on the Home Page apply.
| Round injectable medications less than 1 mL to Hundredths | Use a Tuberculin syringe which is calibrated in hundredths** |
| Round injectable medications more than 1 mL to Tenths | Use a 3cc or larger syringe which is calibrated in tenths |
**Note: When giving injectable medications that are 1 mL or less, and the calculation works out to even tenths, accurate measurement is possible with either a TB or 3cc syringe.
Injectable medications that may be unstable in solution, are packaged in powder form. All package or label directions must be followed exactly. These directions will specify the amount and type of diluent to use, and the strength of the prepared solution. Other information, like proper storage after reconstitution and the length of time the preparation can be safely used is also included. In a multi-dose vial, it is essential that the nurse mark on the container the date and time of preparation, the strength of the resulting solution, the expiration of potency, storage directions and his/ her initials.
Some package directions list several preparation methods to yield different strengths of medication. The nurse should select the strength closest tot eh ordered dose and should consider the number of injections required for administration. If possible, the ordered dose should be administered in one injection. The patient age, body weight and build and injection site for administration must all be considered when reconstituting powdered medications.
For practice problems with parenteral medications, click here: Quiz 4