It is recommended that some medications need to be diluted more than others, due to their caustic natures. When looking up medications in a drug book or guide, you will find advice for mixing and administering injections. Rocephrin, an antibiotic, is an example of a very caustic medication. Some drug guides suggest that high doses of Rocephrin be mixed with lidocaine (a local anesthetic) to decrease tissue irritation, and that each dose by divided and given separately in two large muscle masses.

Source: Stressed Out: About Drug Math, HCPro, Inc., 2006. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com