When preparing a medication from an ampule, what must the nurse be careful to avoid?

When preparing a medication from an ampule, caution is essential to ensure both safety and efficacy. Breaking the ampule improperly is crucial to avoid, as this can result in glass shards getting into the medication, which can pose a severe risk to the patient. Proper technique for breaking an ampule includes using a protective gauze or a towel to shield the nurse's hands and to catch any potential glass fragments. Ensuring the ampule is secured and using the correct method to snap it open minimizes the risk of injury and contamination.

Other considerations relate to standard infection control practices and proper dosage delivery but are secondary to the issue of breaking the ampule safely. For example, while injecting air into the ampule is not typically necessary because ampules are sealed, the risk of glass contamination from improper ampule breakage remains the primary concern that nurses must actively avoid when using this form of medication delivery.