Which statement correctly describes coring?

Which statement correctly describes coring?

• A. Coring is a piece of the vial's rubber stopper breaking off and entering the drug
• B. Inserting the needle into the vial with the lumen side up
• C. Insert the needle at a 45-60 degree angle
• D. Using the largest possible needle gauge to avoid coring

Answer: (A)

Coring describes a small piece of the vial’s rubber stopper breaking off and entering the drug when the stopper is punctured by a needle. This is exactly what the statement is identifying, making it the correct description. To prevent coring, puncture the stopper with a fresh, sharp needle inserted straight into the center of the stopper at about 90 degrees and withdraw the needle without sliding it along the stopper. The position of the needle’s lumen isn’t the factor here, and inserting at a shallow angle isn’t the method used to minimize coring. Also, simply using a larger gauge needle doesn’t prevent coring and can even increase risk if technique isn’t proper.

Coring describes a small piece of the vial’s rubber stopper breaking off and entering the drug when the stopper is punctured by a needle. This is exactly what the statement is identifying, making it the correct description. To prevent coring, puncture the stopper with a fresh, sharp needle inserted straight into the center of the stopper at about 90 degrees and withdraw the needle without sliding it along the stopper. The position of the needle’s lumen isn’t the factor here, and inserting at a shallow angle isn’t the method used to minimize coring. Also, simply using a larger gauge needle doesn’t prevent coring and can even increase risk if technique isn’t proper.