A nurse is preparing to administer prescribed intravenous (IV) push ondansetron to a client experiencing postoperative nausea. The client has a dedicated peripheral IV saline lock in place. Arrange the following actions in the correct sequence for safe administration.
- 1Cleanse the IV injection port with an antiseptic swab and allow it to air dry.
- 2Connect a normal saline syringe, aspirate for a blood return, and flush the IV line.
- 3Attach the medication syringe and inject the ondansetron over 2 to 5 minutes.
- 4Connect a second normal saline syringe and flush the IV line at the same rate as the medication administration.
- 5Clamp the extension tubing while maintaining positive pressure on the syringe plunger.
Answer
The correct sequence follows the SAS (Saline, Administer, Saline) method while maintaining asepsis and preventing catheter occlusion.
The correct sequence for administering an IV push medication through a saline lock is to first clean the port to maintain asepsis. Next, use the SAS method: check patency with normal saline (Saline), administer the medication at the proper rate (Administer), and flush again with normal saline to push the remaining medication at that exact same safe rate (Saline). Finally, clamp the line with positive pressure to prevent blood reflux and subsequent occlusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Peripheral IV push medication administration (SAS method)