Pediatric Nursing Q 191
How should the nurse prepare a suspension before administration?
A. By diluting it with normal saline solution
B. By diluting it with 5% dextrose solution
C. By shaking it so that all the drug particles are dispersed uniformly
D. By crushing remaining particles with a mortar and pestle
Correct Answer: C. By shaking it so that all the drug particles are dispersed uniformly.
The nurse should shake a suspension before administration to dispersed drug particles uniformly. First, the bottle should be tabbed a few times to loosen the powder, then approximately, half the volume of water should be added, the bottle is shaken vigorously, the remaining water should be added and shaken well.
Option A: In one study 75.5 % of mothers used boiled then cooled tap water and 1.8 % of mothers used distilled water, which is a correct practice. The addition of water in one step makes it difficult to get the lumps out while measuring the volume of water several times increases the percentage of error in measured volume.
Option B: Only tap water should be reconstituted with a powdered suspension because a 5% dextrose solution contains chemicals that may cause decomposition of drugs and complex reactions.
Option D: Crushing particles is not recommended for this drug form. Crushing or opening modified or slow-release drug capsules will cause the drug to be released all at once and could cause side effects. There may be times when tablets will need to be crushed in order to deliver essential drug therapy. This should only be done as a last resort and the practitioner must use her or his professional judgment.