A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) push medication through a client's established peripheral intermittent infusion device (saline lock). Arrange the following actions in the correct chronological sequence from first to last.
- 1Clean the access port of the infusion device with an antimicrobial swab.
- 2Attach a syringe of normal saline and flush the peripheral intravenous catheter.
- 3Administer the prescribed medication at the recommended rate of injection.
- 4Flush the intravenous catheter again with normal saline.
Answer
The correct sequence is to clean the access port, flush the catheter with normal saline to check patency, administer the medication, and then flush the catheter again with normal saline.
The standard procedure for administering an IV push medication through a saline lock follows the SAS method: Saline flush, Administer medication, Saline flush. Before any connection is made, the port must be thoroughly cleaned with an antimicrobial swab to maintain asepsis. The initial flush verifies IV patency. The medication is then administered. The final flush ensures the entire dose enters the bloodstream and clears the line to prevent occlusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe administration of intravenous medications via a saline lock relies on the standard SAS (Saline, Administer, Saline) procedure combined with strict aseptic technique.