In what order should medications be drawn up from vials?

The correct approach to drawing up medications from vials is to start with the clear solution before the cloudy solution. This practice is crucial for preventing contamination and ensuring the integrity of the medications.

When a clear solution is drawn first, it helps maintain the clarity of that medication by avoiding the introduction of any particles from the cloudy vial. If the cloudy solution were drawn first, there is a risk of inadvertently introducing some of the cloudy particles into the clear solution, which could alter the effect and potency of the medication. This practice ensures that the medications remain separated and that the clear solution remains uncontaminated, maintaining its efficacy for the intended use.

Drawing the medications in any order, or attempting to draw them up simultaneously, could lead to potential medication errors or compromised safety, which underscores the importance of the correct order in this context.