When preparing liquid medication, such as Haldol concentrate, what is the best practice?

When preparing liquid medication, reading the level of medication from the bottom of the meniscus is the best practice. The meniscus is the curve seen at the surface of a liquid in response to its container. Accurate measurement is crucial for ensuring the correct dosage is administered, and this method provides the most reliable reading. By taking the measurement from the bottom of the meniscus, you can reduce the risk of administering too much or too little medication, which is critical in medication management.

Other practices, such as diluting the medication or cleansing the bottle opening with liquid, might risk altering the medication’s efficacy or sterility. Using paper towels might introduce fibers or contaminants that could compromise the medication or the delivery system. Thus, understanding and adhering to proper measurement techniques is vital for safe medication administration.