1. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Chapter 10 Reconstitution of Powdered Drugs

2. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution Directions On vial, labels may be small and difficult to read. Extreme care in reading them is essential. 10-2

3. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Purpose Drugs in powder form retain potency for only short time once reconstituted. –For example, ampicillin 10-3

4. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Drug Volume After Reconstitution Reconstituted volumes do not always exactly equal amount of diluent because medication itself has volume. –Makes total volume larger than amount of diluent injected into vial. 10-4

5. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstituting a Drug The person who reconstitutes a drug is responsible for labeling it with the date and time of expiration, and must initial it. 10-5

6. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution: Step 1 Locate directions on label, package insert, or current parenteral medication reference. 10-6

7. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Diluent Information Type of diluent varies for different drugs. –Sterile water used most frequently for parenteral drug reconstitution Volume of diluent varies for different drugs. (continues) 10-7

8. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Diluent Information (cont’d) If directions given for both IM and IV reconstitution, be careful to read correct set for solution being prepared. 10-8

9. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution: Step 2 Once diluent identified, use sterile syringe and aseptic technique to draw up volume of diluent required for reconstitution of specific medication. 10-9

10. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Vial Pressure If powdered medication in vial, syringe plunger forced out to expel air. –Re-equalizes internal vial pressure as diluent injected 10-10

11. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution: Step 3 After diluent injected, rotate and up end vial until all medication dissolved. Most parenteral medications should not be shaken to dissolve powder. 10-11

12. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution: Step 4 After reconstitution, locate information that notes how long reconstituted medication can be stored. 10-12

13. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution: Step 5 Document the following items: –Initials of person reconstituting medication –Reconstitution date and time –Expiration date and time 10-13

14. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Reconstitution Information If all information needed for reconstitution not on medication vial label, obtain from one of the following locations: –Medication package insert –Current and reliable medication reference –Facility pharmacy 10-14

15. Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® Multiple Strength Solutions Some powdered medications offer choice of dosage strengths. Reconstituted strength must be added to label information. 10-15