If you are administering the medication immediately after withdrawal, what should you do with the needle?

• A. Recap the needle after drawing medication
• B. Keep the needle uncapped during administration
• C. Do not recap the needle if administering immediately
• D. Recap the needle after any withdrawal

Answer: (C)

The important idea here is safe needle handling to prevent needlestick injuries. When you withdraw medication from a vial and you’re going to administer the dose right away, you should keep the needle uncapped and proceed with the injection. Recapping a needle after withdrawal increases the risk of puncturing yourself or someone else, which is why it’s avoided in this scenario. After the injection, dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container and use any available safety mechanisms. So, do not recap if you’re administering immediately.