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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A registered nurse is assigned to care for a client who is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.45%0.45\% sodium chloride. The healthcare provider prescribes a new intravenous (IV) push medication for the client. Which action represents the most critical safety check before injecting the medication into the existing IV line?

  1. Confirm the compatibility of the new medication with the infusing 0.45%0.45\% sodium chloride solution.Answer
  2. B
    Assign an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to monitor the insertion site for redness or swelling.
  3. C
    Stop the continuous fluid for 30 minutes30\text{ minutes} prior to the injection to clear the IV tubing.
  4. D
    Calculate the IV tubing drop factor to determine the precise injection speed for the medication.

Answer

The nurse must confirm the compatibility of the new medication with the infusing 0.45%0.45\% sodium chloride solution.
When administering an IV push medication into an existing continuous IV line, the nurse must first verify that the new medication is compatible with the infusing fluid. Mixing incompatible medications or fluids in the IV tubing can result in crystallization or precipitation, which can cause a severe adverse event such as an embolism. Ensuring compatibility is a fundamental standard of medication safety.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clinical scenario.
The nurse is preparing to administer an IV push medication through a line that already contains an infusing continuous fluid.
Understanding the route and current state of the IV line is essential for safe medication administration.
2
Identify potential patient safety risks.
Mixing two different intravenous substances carries a high risk of incompatibility, which can lead to precipitation in the IV tubing.
Patient safety relies on preventing adverse drug interactions before they reach the bloodstream.
3
Determine the priority nursing action.
The nurse must consult a drug reference guide or pharmacist to verify that the IV push medication and the continuous IV fluid are safe to mix.
Verifying compatibility is the mandatory first step before administering concurrent IV therapies in the same line.

Key Concept

Intravenous Medication Compatibility
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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