The practical nurse (PN) prepares to administer an intramuscular injection. The PN uses a filter needle to obtain the prescribed medication from an ampule as seen below. What should the PN do next?

A. Clean the ampule with an alcohol swab: Ampules should be cleaned before opening, but this step occurs before drawing up the medication. After using a filter needle, cleaning the ampule again is unnecessary at this stage. B. Change the needle on the syringe: A filter needle is used to prevent glass particles from entering the syringe but is not intended for injection. The PN should replace it with a sterile, appropriate-gauge needle before administering the intramuscular injection to the client. C. Discard the medication because it is contaminated: The medication is not considered contaminated simply because a filter needle was used. Discarding it is unnecessary if proper technique has been followed. D. Administer the intramuscular injection to the client: Administering with the filter needle is unsafe because it is not designed for injection. Changing to an appropriate needle is required before giving the injection.