The nurse receives an order to administer drug R 300 mg IVPB over one hour. Drug R is available as 300 mg in 100 mL NSS. The drip factor of the piggyback tubing is 15 gtts/mL. At what rate should the nurse regulate the IV flow?

Choice A reason:

Telling the patient to “try to go as long as possible before you press the button” is not advisable. PCA devices are designed to allow patients to manage their pain effectively by administering medication as soon as they begin to feel discomfort. Delaying the use of the PCA can lead to uncontrolled pain, which can be more difficult to manage later.

Choice B reason:

“Instruct your family or visitors to press the button for you when you are sleeping” is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Only the patient should press the PCA button to ensure that they are receiving the medication when they actually need it. Allowing others to press the button can lead to overmedication and serious side effects.

Choice C reason:

“Push the button every 15 minutes whether you feel pain at that time or not” is also incorrect. PCA devices are intended to be used on an as-needed basis. Pressing the button at regular intervals without experiencing pain can result in unnecessary medication administration and potential overdose.

Choice D reason:

“Push the button when you begin to feel pain, instead of waiting until the pain becomes worse” is the correct instruction. This approach helps to manage pain more effectively by preventing it from becoming severe. Early intervention with pain management can lead to better overall outcomes and patient comfort.

Choice A reason:

5% dextrose in water (D5W) is not typically used for fluid resuscitation in cases of hypovolemia due to severe bleeding. D5W is a hypotonic solution once the dextrose is metabolized, which means it does not remain in the intravascular space and is not effective in expanding blood volume. It is more commonly used for providing free water and calories.

Choice B reason:

5% dextrose in 0.25% sodium chloride (D5 1/4 NS) is also not suitable for fluid resuscitation in hypovolemia due to severe bleeding. This solution is hypotonic and will not adequately expand the intravascular volume. It is generally used for maintenance fluids rather than for resuscitation.

Choice C reason:

0.9% normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is the preferred choice for fluid resuscitation in hypovolemia due to severe bleeding. It is an isotonic solution, meaning it has the same osmolarity as blood and remains in the intravascular space, effectively expanding blood volume. This helps to restore circulating volume and improve tissue perfusion.

Choice D reason:

3% sodium chloride (3% NaCl) is a hypertonic solution and is not typically used for fluid resuscitation in hypovolemia due to severe bleeding. Hypertonic solutions can cause rapid shifts of fluid from the intracellular to the extracellular space, which can lead to complications such as hypernatremia and osmotic demyelination syndrome. It is generally reserved for specific situations such as severe hyponatremia.