A young adult is brought to the emergency department experiencing sustained, continuous tonic-clonic seizures. The healthcare provider prescribes a loading dose of intravenous phenytoin. The patient currently has a peripheral venous catheter with a continuous infusion of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) running at 75 mL/hr. Which nursing action is essential for the safe administration of this prescribed medication?
- AConnect the phenytoin preparation as a piggyback to the lowest port of the continuous 5% dextrose in water infusion.
- BPush the total calculated dose intravenously over 60 seconds to rapidly arrest the seizure activity.
- Flush the intravenous catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride immediately before and after the medication is given.Cevap
- DDelegate the continuous monitoring of the patient's vital signs during the infusion to the unlicensed assistive personnel.
Cevap
Flush the intravenous catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride immediately before and after the medication is given.
Phenytoin is compatible only with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline). Because the primary infusion is 5% dextrose in water, the nurse must adequately flush the line with normal saline before and after administration to prevent drug precipitation and ensure safe delivery.
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Anahtar Kavram
Intravenous phenytoin is incompatible with dextrose solutions and requires a 0.9% sodium chloride flush before and after administration.