When performing an IV insertion on an infant, the nurse can select which needle size?

Choice A reason: Marking the time strip on the IV bag helps track infusion duration but is not the priority before administration. Ensuring bag integrity prevents contamination or leakage, which could introduce pathogens or cause fluid loss, compromising patient safety and treatment efficacy.
Choice B reason: Checking the IV bag’s integrity ensures it is free from leaks, cracks, or contamination. A compromised bag can introduce bacteria or air into the bloodstream, leading to infections or embolisms. This step is critical for patient safety before initiating infusion.
Choice C reason: Selecting a vented administration set depends on the fluid type and container. While important, it is secondary to ensuring the bag’s integrity, as a damaged bag could lead to contamination or improper fluid delivery, posing immediate risks to the patient.
Choice D reason: Calculating tonicity is unnecessary, as IV fluids are pre-formulated with known tonicity (e.g., isotonic, hypotonic). The nurse’s priority is ensuring the bag is intact to prevent contamination or fluid loss, which directly impacts patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

Choice A reason: Checking contraindications (e.g., mastectomy, lymphedema, or fistula) prevents complications like infection or swelling. Using an inappropriate extremity risks impaired lymphatic or vascular function, compromising patient safety during IV therapy.
Choice B reason: Starting distally and moving proximally is standard to preserve proximal veins for future use. Starting proximally may limit future access sites, increasing the risk of complications if distal veins are compromised.
Choice C reason: A vein with minimal curvature reduces the risk of catheter kinking or vessel trauma. Straight veins allow smoother catheter advancement, ensuring stable IV access and minimizing infiltration or dislodgement risks.
Choice D reason: Choosing the dominant arm is not standard, as it may limit patient mobility. The non-dominant arm is preferred unless contraindicated, to enhance comfort and reduce disruption during daily activities.
Choice E reason: Avoiding areas of flexion (e.g., elbow) prevents catheter dislodgement or kinking due to movement. Stable sites like the forearm ensure reliable IV access, reducing infiltration and improving therapy effectiveness.