Recording-2025-02-14T13:28:28.783Z

Introduction to Liquid Volumes and Oral Dosages

• Overview of reconstituting injections using powdered medications for injection

• Importance of understanding different types of syringes, parenteral dosages, vials, and ampoules

• Focus on prednisone prescriptions commonly encountered in pharmacy settings

Understanding Labels and Calculations

• Importance of calculating the correct dosage: formula = Desired / Have x Quantity

• Applicable to various forms of medication: solids, oral solids, oral liquids, and injections

• Accuracy in calculations is critical to patient safety; wrong drug or dosage can have serious consequences

Forms of Medication

Solutions vs. Powders

• Solutions are easier to withdraw; powders are used for longer shelf life and stability

• Powder must be reconstituted properly to ensure safety and efficacy

Percent Concentrations and Units

• Understanding drug concentrations: 2% means 2 grams in 100 milliliters

• Different ways to express strengths: milligrams per milliliter, units (i.e., insulin)

• Example: Insulin dosing expressed in units, e.g., "Inject twenty units before meals"

Vial and Ampoule Types

Single-Dose vs. Multi-Dose Vials

• Single-dose vials are designed for one-time use only

• Multi-dose vials can be used multiple times; left overs can be stored according to instructions

• Importance of knowing how many doses are required per prescription

Injection Techniques

• Parenteral administration: not via the gastrointestinal tract (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous)

• Understanding the Greek origins of the term ‘parenteral’

Safe Injection Practices

Critical Sites in Syringes

• Critical areas of the syringe that must not be touched to avoid contamination

• Proper handling techniques for syringes, particularly in a sterile environment

Types of Syringes and Needles

• Different syringes based on dosage; standard 3ml for 1ml or more, tuberculin syringes for less than 1ml

• Needles vary in gauge; smaller gauge number indicates thicker needle

• Importance of selecting correct needle length and gauge based on injection type

Special Syringe Types

Prefilled and Safety Syringes

• Prefilled syringes ready to use but require careful patient instruction

• Safety syringes designed to minimize needle-stick injuries

Insulin Syringes

• Specialized for insulin, calibrated in units; must only use insulin syringes for insulin administration

Tuberculin Syringes

• Used for very small doses; calibrated in hundreds of a milliliter

• Precise measurements, requiring attention to detail for liquid doses less than one milliliter

Calculating Dosages

• Always convert percent concentrations or ratios to indicate dosage strength in milliliters

• Two decimal places must be used for doses less than one milliliter

• Example: 0.5ml tuberculin syringe for 0.6ml doses

Handling Reconstituted Solutions

• Instructions for reconstituting powdered injections safely

• Ensuring no visible particles before administration

• Importance of proper storage and refrigeration practices

Conclusion

• Mastery of these concepts is essential for pharmacy technicians to ensure safe and effective patient care.