A client admitted with ventricular tachycardia is receiving a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of amiodarone through a dedicated peripheral line. The healthcare provider prescribes a STAT dose of IV furosemide to treat a sudden onset of pulmonary edema. The nurse notes in the facility's drug reference guide that furosemide and amiodarone are incompatible at the Y-site. Which action should the nurse take?
- Insert a new peripheral intravenous catheter to administer the furosemide.Answer
- BStop the amiodarone, flush with normal saline, push the furosemide, and resume the continuous infusion.
- CConnect the furosemide syringe to the Y-site port closest to the client's IV insertion site.
- DDilute the furosemide in a 50 mL bag of normal saline and piggyback it concurrently with the amiodarone.
Answer
Insert a new peripheral intravenous catheter to administer the furosemide.
The safest and most effective nursing action is to establish a second peripheral IV line. Amiodarone is a critical continuous antiarrhythmic infusion that should never be paused unnecessarily, as interrupting the medication could lead to an immediate recurrence of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia. Because furosemide is chemically incompatible with amiodarone, a new line allows the emergency diuretic to be administered promptly for the pulmonary edema without compromising the continuous antiarrhythmic therapy or risking crystallization inside the IV tubing.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Management of Intravenous Therapy Incompatibilities and Critical Infusions