Choosing the Right Syringe for Measuring 0.25 mL of a Drug

Question:

Which syringe should be used to measure 0.25 mL of a drug?

Answer:

To measure 0.25 mL of a drug, a syringe that allows for precise and accurate measurement to the nearest 0.1 mL should be used, such as a graduated cylinder or an insulin syringe, not an eyedropper.

Explanation:

To determine in which syringe should 0.25 mL of a drug be measured, we must consider the accuracy and precision required for dispensing such a small volume. Typically, a syringe with the smallest possible scale that can comfortably measure the desired volume with minimal error is preferred. An eyedropper holds about 1 milliliter, which might not provide the best resolution for measuring 0.25 mL due to its larger scale and potential for greater measurement error.

In contrast, a graduated cylinder or an insulin syringe, which typically has measurements in increments of 0.01 to 0.1 milliliter, may offer better precision and accuracy for such a small measurement.

It is also useful to draw from the pharmaceutical industry's practices as an example. A quality control chemist would ensure that machinery used to dispense medication is both accurate and precise. They would understand that the measuring device should deliver the correct volume (accuracy) consistently over multiple uses (precision). According to the provided information, smaller volumes may be measured to the nearest 0.1 mL based on a scale. This indicates that a syringe with a scale allowing for measurements in tenths of a milliliter would be suitable to measure 0.25 mL of a drug accurately and precisely.