NURSING – RLE/SKILLS
1 | P a g e
ADMINISTERING INTRAVENOUS MEDICATIONS
INTRAVENOUS MEDICATIONS
Intravenous (IV) Medications - are solutions administered directly into the
venous circulation via a syringe or intravenous catheter (tube).
Indications for IV Medications
✓ When the oral route is unavailable or unsuitable
example: when a person is unable to swallow
✓ When drugs are destroyed by stomach acid
✓ When drugs are not absorbed orally
✓ When high blood concentrations of a drug are needed quickly
✓ To obtain a rapid response in emergency situations
INITIATING IV THERAPY
• Selection of the IV site
Consider:
✓ Accessibility of the vein, its general condition
✓ Type of fluid to be given
✓ Duration of IV therapy
• Veins preferred for infusions and intermittent doses of medications are
those distal to the antecubital area.
• Cephalic, basilic, and antebrachial veins of the lower arm and the veins
on the back of the hand are the sites of choice for most adult patients.
Choosing IV Catheter Size
✓ < 1 year: 22, 24 gauge (g)
✓ 1-8 years: 18, 20,22 gauges
✓ > 8 years: 16. 18,20 gauges
ADMINISTERING IV MEDICATIONS
✓ All medications are administered using the Ten Rights, with the addition
of the right rate
✓ Movement of the patient can affect the flow rate
✓ Potassium is ALWAYS diluted and never given as a bolus
✓ Sterile technique is used when medications are added to IV fluids
✓ Most facilities require certification to administer chemotherapy drugs
ADMINISTRATION SETS
• Primary Intravenous Set
o Consists of bag of solution, regular tubing set,
needleless connector, and IV stand
• Secondary or Piggyback Intravenous Set
o Medications to be given intravenously often added to
an existing IV line by using the piggyback method
• Parallel Intravenous Set
o A Y-type administration set used to infuse certain
blood products
• Large-Volume Infusion
• Controlled-Volume Set
o Infusion pump administers small volumes of fluid or
medication
• Intermittent Intravenous Device (Saline or PRN Lock)
o Established by applying Luer-lock cap or an extension
set to the IV cannula
INTRAVENOUS FLUID AND MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION SETS
Y-TYPE BLOOD ADMINISTRATION SETUP
LUER-LOCK NEEDLELESS INTRAVENOUS SYRINGE AND PORT
ADMINISTERING MEDICATION VIA INFUSION
1. Check the medical orders
2. Read the label of the drug
3. Make sure the drug label indicates that it is for IV use.
4. Check for any documented drug allergies.
5. Review drug actions and side effects.
6. Consult the compatibility chart or drug reference.
7. Determines how much the client understands the purpose and
technique for administering the medications.
8. Perform assessments that will provide a basis for evaluating the
drug’s effectiveness.
9. Inspect the current infusion site for swelling, redness, and
tenderness.
10. Prepare the medication, taking care to read the medication label
at least three (3) times
11. Have a second nurse double check your drug calculations.
12. Wash hands or perform alcohol-based hand rub.
13. Check the client’s identification band.
14. Clamp or stop the current infusion of fluid.
15. Swab the appropriate port on the container of IV fluid.
16. Instill the medication through the port into the full container of
infusing fluid.
17. Lower the bag and gently rotate it back and forth.
