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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A client recovering from abdominal surgery has a continuous peripheral intravenous (IV) infusion of 0.45% sodium chloride. The nurse brings a syringe containing a scheduled dose of IV ondansetron to the bedside. Which of the following actions is the most critical for the nurse to perform before administering this medication through the Y-site port?

  1. Confirm that the IV ondansetron is chemically compatible with the 0.45% sodium chloride solution.Answer
  2. B
    Pause the primary IV infusion during the injection to prevent the medication and fluid from mixing.
  3. C
    Calculate a gravity drip rate for the syringe to match the exact flow of the primary IV infusion.
  4. D
    Assess the client's airway and respiratory rate to prioritize physiological stability before pushing the medication.

Answer

The nurse must verify that the IV ondansetron is chemically compatible with the infusing 0.45% sodium chloride solution.
Verifying compatibility between an infusing IV fluid and an IV bolus medication is a fundamental safety step. If incompatible substances mix, they can form precipitates that may occlude the IV catheter or cause a life-threatening embolus.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the planned clinical task.
The nurse needs to administer an IV push medication into an actively infusing primary IV line.
Understanding the medication route and current line setup dictates the necessary safety precautions.
2
Recognize the risk of intravenous drug-fluid interactions.
Mixing incompatible medications and fluids can cause crystallization or precipitation in the tubing.
Precipitates can occlude the IV catheter or enter the client's bloodstream as a dangerous embolus.
3
Determine the priority safety action prior to administration.
The nurse must consult a standard drug compatibility resource to check the medication against the primary fluid.
This is a fundamental safety step to ensure the ondansetron will not adversely react with the 0.45% sodium chloride.

Key Concept

Intravenous Medication Compatibility
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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