A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) push medication through a client's established peripheral IV saline lock. Place the following nursing actions in the correct chronological sequence.
- 1Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves.
- 2Scrub the needleless connector port of the saline lock with an antiseptic swab.
- 3Aspirate for a blood return and flush the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride.
- 4Inject the prescribed medication steadily over the recommended administration time.
- 5Flush the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride at the same rate the medication was administered.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first perform hand hygiene and don gloves, scrub the connector port, aspirate and flush the catheter, inject the medication over the recommended time, and finally flush the catheter again at the same rate.
The correct sequence prioritizes infection control, followed by assessment of catheter patency, safe medication administration, and proper line clearance. Hand hygiene and gloves must come first. Scrubbing the port prevents introducing pathogens. Aspirating and flushing confirms the line is in the vein and patent. The medication is then administered at a safe rate. Finally, the post-medication flush must be administered at the same rate as the medication to avoid rapidly bolusing the drug remaining in the dead space of the catheter.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe administration of intravenous (IV) push medications via a peripheral saline lock requires strict aseptic technique, verification of line patency, and appropriately timed flushing techniques.