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Summary ( 14 Questions)
A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin) to a patient who has status epilepticus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
This action is necessary to prevent the formation of precipitates in the IV line, which can cause thrombophlebitis or embolism. The other actions are incorrect for the following reasons:
This action is necessary to prevent the formation of precipitates in the IV line, which can cause thrombophlebitis or embolism. The other actions are incorrect for the following reasons:
This action is necessary to prevent the formation of precipitates in the IV line, which can cause thrombophlebitis or embolism. The other actions are incorrect for the following reasons:
This action is necessary to prevent the formation of precipitates in the IV line, which can cause thrombophlebitis or embolism. The other actions are incorrect for the following reasons:
This action is necessary to prevent the formation of precipitates in the IV line, which can cause thrombophlebitis or embolism. The other actions are incorrect for the following reasons:
- A. "Flush the IV line with normal saline before and after giving phenytoin". This action is correct, but not sufficient to prevent precipitation. Phenytoin is incompatible with many IV solutions and drugs, so it should be given in a separate line or flushed thoroughly with normal saline before and after administration.
- B. "Mix phenytoin with dextrose solution in a syringe". This action is incorrect because phenytoin is incompatible with dextrose solution and will form a precipitate. Phenytoin should only be diluted with normal saline.
- C. "Give phenytoin as a bolus over 1 minute". This action is incorrect because phenytoin should be given slowly, at a rate of no more than 50 mg/min, to avoid hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias.