When administering a medication that is highly sensitive to sunlight, what is a key precaution to take?

When administering a medication that is highly sensitive to sunlight, the key precaution to take is to avoid direct sunlight exposure. This is crucial because certain medications can degrade or lose potency when exposed to light, especially ultraviolet (UV) rays. This degradation can lead to ineffective treatment and can pose risks to the patient if the medication is improperly dosed as a result of light exposure.

Protecting the medication from light ensures that it remains effective throughout its intended shelf life. Therefore, it is important to store and handle such medications in ways that shield them from sunlight, such as using opaque containers or packaging that blocks light, and ensuring that they are not left in direct sunlight during administration or transport.

While storing medications in a cool place, refrigeration, and using heavy-duty containers can have their benefits, they do not directly address the specific issue of light sensitivity, making the avoidance of direct sunlight exposure the more critical precaution for these medications.