How should the nurse prepare a suspension before administration?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct way to prepare a suspension before administration is by shaking it so that all the drug particles are dispersed uniformly. Suspending agent particles settle over time, creating a layer of liquid at the top and a layer of solid at the bottom. By shaking the suspension, the nurse ensures that the drug particles are fully mixed and distributed evenly throughout the liquid. This step is crucial to ensure that the patient receives the correct dosage of the medication with each administration. Diluting the suspension with normal saline or dextrose solutions or crushing remaining particles with a mortar and pestle are not recommended methods for preparing a suspension before administration.