Drawing Up Meds

Overview

1. Purpose
   1. Medications stored in vials need to be drawn up in syringes to facilitate administration
2. Notes
   1. Follow facility protocol regarding the use and storage of multi-use vials
   2. Vials are pressure-sealed (vacuum).  In order to remove any volume of liquid, you must first replace it with air.

Nursing Points

General

1. Supplies
   1. Appropriate size syringe (calculate required volume of dose)
   2. Blunt tip needle
   3. Alcohol pad

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 blunt tip needle to syringe
       1. Not applicable for insulin needles or other built-in needle/syringe combos
   11. Remove the lid from the vial, clean the top with an alcohol pad
   12. Draw up air in your syringe equal to the volume of medication required
   13. With the vial on the table or countertop, insert the needle/syringe through the rubber stopper
   14. Inject the air into the vial
   15. Invert the vial and slowly draw up the med to the prescribed volume
       1. Drawing up too quickly can cause air bubbles
   16. Remove the syringe/needle from the vial
   17. Flick/tap the syringe to remove any air bubbles
   18. Safely recap and/or remove the blunt tip needle and discard in sharps container
   19. 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)
       5. **Can use a piece of tape or a patient label/sticker
   20. Follow the appropriate steps for administration based on the prescribed route (IV, IM, SubQ, etc.)

Patient Education

1. Educate about administration of medication.