Page 264 - Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

248 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Secondary containers are often plastic vials with caps
that either twist or snap off and are available in various
sizes. Use one that is large enough to hold the entire
prescription with a small amount of space left at the top of
the vial. It is financially wasteful to fill a prescription in a
large vial for 10 tablets. Vials are usually amber or blue
colored to protect the medication from deterioration due
to exposure to sunlight. Vials are suitable for dry medica-
tions such as tablets, capsules, and ointments. Larger ones
can be used to dispense smaller items that cannot be fit-
ted with a label such as a tube of eye ointment.
Liquids are dispensed in bottles with twist‐off caps or
dropper tops. The bottles are often marked on the outside
as to the available quantity (in ounce and milliliter, typi-
cally) on the inside. This will give you a reasonably accu-
rate amount when filling the bottles. A funnel or a large
syringe aids in filling bottles to prevent spillage. Be certain
FIGURE 13.1 Pill counting tray and pill splitter.
that the funnel or syringe is clean and dry before using.
Some medications begin as a powder and must be
blade on the lid of the splitter. Close the cover then push reconstituted with a specified amount of water to form
down sharply. Some tablets will easily split just using your a liquid; this must be done before sending the medica-
fingers. For tablets that do not have score marks, set tion home with a client. Use a syringe for accurate
them snuggly into the “V” on the base of the splitter. measurement. Read the label carefully to learn what and
Carefully close the cover and push down slowly to try to how much to use to reconstitute a drug. Mix the medica-
get an even split. You can put your split pills onto the tion and replace the mixing cap with one that has a
counting tray to make sure you have the right amount dropper attached to the lid. This is marked in milliliters
before putting them into the secondary container. and is used to give the patient its dose of medication.
If a pill counting tray is unavailable, pour the pills into Ointments come in tubes either with its own box that
the palm of your gloved hand. With the other gloved may accommodate a prescription label, or if just a tube it
hand, grasp two–five pills at a time and place these in a should be placed in an amber vial or box that will accom-
prescription vial, counting as you go. It is more efficient modate the label. If the ointment is in a large multi‐use
than counting one pill at a time. Just remember the two, primary container, use a clean tongue depressor to
three, four, or fives multiplication table for the number remove the ointment and transfer it to a vial or tin con-
of times you will drop pills into the vial. tainer. Push the ointment in solidly to be certain there
Never split capsules! These are designed to melt away are no air pockets within the medication.
once ingested, releasing the medications inside. The med- Return the primary bottle to the pharmacy or inventory.
ication is a carefully measured dose by the manufacturer. Take note of the amount left and compare it with the
order point card. If it is close or on the order point
Prescription Packaging number alert the inventory manager of the need to
reorder. If it is a controlled drug, make sure to mark it
properly in the controlled drug log.
When dispensing tablets, capsules, or liquids make sure Either give the record and medication to the designated
the secondary container is childproof. The only recipient (receptionist, veterinarian, and technician) or
exception is at the request of the owner. Even then, it is take it to the designated location (front desk, examina-
best to recommend safety containers to prevent children tion room).
and pets from opening the container. Persons with dis-
abilities and the elderly may lack the strength and
coordination in their hands to open a childproof con- Explaining Prescriptions
tainer and are the most likely candidates for containers
that are not childproof. An owner request for a con- to the Owner
tainer that is not childproof is documented in the
patient’s record. Ideally, owners sign a request form doc- The veterinarian may have explained to the owner that
umenting their request for dispensing of medication in medication is being dispensed, but it is up to the staff to
a non‐childproof container. The form is then included make certain the client really understands what to do and
in the medical record. If no such form exists in the how to do it. There is always the possibility that the owner’s
facility, document the request in the record itself and understanding is incomplete or inaccurate, which serves
have the client initial or sign. as a basis for failure to comply with the veterinarian’s