What must you do before administering a suspension?

• A. Shake well before administration.
• B. Do not shake at all.
• C. Heat to body temperature before administration.
• D. Dilute with water before administration.

Answer: (A)

Suspensions have solid drug particles dispersed in a liquid, and those particles tend to settle over time. To deliver an accurate dose, you must shake the suspension well before administration so the drug is evenly distributed each time you draw a dose. This re-suspends the settled particles and ensures the amount you administer matches what the label indicates. Heating the medication can degrade the drug or cause irritation, and diluting with water usually isn’t appropriate unless the product label specifically instructs it. If the label says to shake for a certain duration, follow that instruction to achieve uniform distribution.