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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A client on a medical-surgical unit is receiving a continuous peripheral infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with added potassium chloride. The client's electronic health record indicates that a scheduled dose of intravenous famotidine is currently due. Which step is essential for the nurse to take before proceeding with the medication administration?

  1. Consult a pharmacological resource to verify that famotidine is compatible with the primary continuous fluid.Answer
  2. B
    Push the famotidine slowly into the Y-site closest to the client without reviewing compatibility data.
  3. C
    Recalculate the primary fluid drip rate to account for the additional volume of the famotidine dose.
  4. D
    Assign the task of hanging the famotidine piggyback to an available unlicensed assistive personnel.

Answer

Consult a pharmacological resource to verify that famotidine is compatible with the primary continuous fluid.
Verifying compatibility is a fundamental safety requirement before administering any secondary intravenous medication into an existing continuous infusion. This action prevents potential chemical reactions, such as precipitation, which can cause severe harm like an embolism or render the medications completely ineffective.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary fluid currently infusing.
The client is receiving 0.9% sodium chloride with potassium chloride.
Knowing the exact composition of the primary fluid is necessary to determine compatibility.
2
Identify the prescribed medication to be administered.
The prescribed medication is intravenous famotidine.
The nurse must know which new medication is being introduced into the system.
3
Check a reliable drug compatibility resource.
The nurse determines if the famotidine can safely mix with the primary fluid in the IV tubing.
Preventing drug-drug incompatibilities is a fundamental safety standard to avoid precipitation or toxicity.

Key Concept

Intravenous Medication Compatibility
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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