A nurse is preparing to administer vancomycin IV to an adult client.

The client asks the nurse if the medication can be given 2 hr earlier.

Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

B) I can visit my nephew who has chickenpox 5 days after the sores have crusted.

This statement indicates an understanding of infection prevention because it demonstrates knowledge about the contagious period of chickenpox. Visiting someone with chickenpox after the sores have crusted is a safe practice, as the person is no longer contagious.

The other options represent misconceptions about infection prevention:

A) Taking antibiotics for a viral infection is not effective, as antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not viruses.

C) This statement is identical to option B and is incorrect.

D) Cleaning a cat's litter box during pregnancy is generally not recommended due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through cat feces. Pregnant individuals are advised to have someone else handle cat litter or to use gloves and wash their hands thoroughly if they must do it themselves.

The correct answer is choice D. The nurse should choose a vein that is palpable and straight for IV catheter insertion.

This will facilitate the insertion of the catheter and reduce the risk of complications such as infiltration, phlebitis, or hematoma. A straight vein will also allow the catheter to be inserted up to the hub, which reduces the risk of contamination along the length of the catheter.

Choice A is wrong because selecting a site on the client’s dominant arm can interfere with the client’s mobility and increase the risk of dislodging the catheter. The nurse should choose a site on the client’s non-dominant arm, preferably on the hand or forearm.

Choice B is wrong because applying a tourniquet below the venipuncture site will impede blood flow and make it harder to locate a suitable vein. The nurse should apply a tourniquet above the venipuncture site, about 10 to 15 cm from the insertion site.

Choice C is wrong because elevating the client’s arm prior to insertion will decrease venous filling and make it harder to palpate a vein. The nurse should lower the client’s arm below the level of the heart to increase venous distension.

Normal ranges for IV catheter size and insertion angle depend on several factors, such as the type and duration of therapy, the condition and size of the vein, and the age and preference of the client.

In general, smaller gauge catheters (20 to 24) are preferred for peripheral IV therapy, and larger gauge catheters (14 to 18) are used for rapid fluid administration or blood transfusion. The insertion angle can vary from 10 to 30 degrees, depending on the depth and location of the vein.