If a nurse administers a medication as a 0.5 mL dose and has available syringes of 1 mL and 3 mL, which syringe should be used?

Using a 1 mL syringe for administering a 0.5 mL dose is optimal in this scenario because it allows for more precise measurement of the small volume of medication being given. A syringe that closely matches the volume needed minimizes the potential for error in dosing. The 1 mL syringe is specifically designed for smaller volumes, making it easier to accurately draw up and administer the 0.5 mL dose.

On the other hand, while a 3 mL syringe could theoretically be used to administer 0.5 mL, it does not provide the same level of measurement accuracy for such a small volume. The larger size may make it more challenging to accurately measure and could lead to inadvertent dosing errors. Therefore, the 1 mL syringe is the best choice for this situation, ensuring patient safety and delivering the correct dose effectively.