Where should you place a cup when measuring liquid medications?

When measuring liquid medications, it is crucial to place the cup on a level surface. This ensures accuracy in the measurement since an uneven surface could lead to tilting of the cup, causing variations in the volume of liquid being assessed. If the cup is not level, it could result in either overestimating or underestimating the dosage required, which could potentially lead to medication errors.

In contrast, placing the cup on a chair or the floor introduces unnecessary risks; a chair could be unstable, and the floor increases the likelihood of spills and contamination. Holding the cup in the hands of the nurse can also lead to difficulties in achieving the precise measurements needed, as it’s more challenging to maintain level stability in the hands compared to a flat surface. Thus, placing the measuring cup on a level surface is the best practice for ensuring accurate dosage measurements of liquid medications.