An assigned nurse is preparing to initiate an intermittent intravenous (IV) piggyback antibiotic for a patient receiving a continuous primary infusion of sodium chloride. The primary line is controlled by an electronic infusion device. After performing hand hygiene and verifying medication rights, how should the nurse sequence the setup steps?
- 1Verify the compatibility of the antibiotic with the primary infusion solution.
- 2Spike the secondary medication bag and prime the new secondary IV tubing.
- 3Scrub the proximal Y-port on the primary IV tubing with an antimicrobial swab.
- 4Attach the secondary tubing to the cleansed primary line port and lower the primary IV bag.
- 5Open the secondary roller clamp and initiate the prescribed rate on the infusion device.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first verify compatibility, then spike and prime the secondary tubing, scrub the proximal Y-port, attach the tubing while lowering the primary bag, and finally open the clamp to start the infusion.
Administering a secondary infusion requires strict adherence to safety and infection control principles. The nurse must first ensure compatibility to prevent precipitation. Next, the equipment is prepared by spiking and priming the secondary line. Asepsis is maintained by scrubbing the access hub before connection. Proper physical setup requires lowering the primary bag so the pump pulls from the higher secondary bag. Finally, the clamps are opened and the pump is started.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Intravenous Piggyback (IVPB) Administration Safety