Intravenous infusion

1.	Goal: The medication is given safely.  Gather equipment. Check medication order against the original physician’s order according to agency policy. Clarify any inconsistencies. Check the patient’s chart for allergies. Verify the compatibility of the medication and intravenous fluid. Check a drug resource to clarify whether medication needs to be diluted before administration. Check the infusion rate.
2.	Know the actions, special nursing considerations, safe dose ranges, purpose of administration, and adverse effects of the medications to be administered. Consider the appropriateness of the medication for this patient.
3.	Perform hand hygiene.
4.	Move the medication cart to the outside of the patient’s room or prepare for administration in the medication area.
5.	Unlock the medication cart or drawer.
6.	Prepare medications for one patient at a time.
7.	Read the Medication order and select the proper medication from the patient’s medication drawer or unit stock.
8.	Compare the label with the Medication order. Check expiration dates and perform calculations, if necessary.
9.	If necessary, withdraw medication from an ampule or vial.
10.	Recheck the label with the Medication order before taking it to the patient.
11.	Lock the medication cart before leaving it.
12.	Transport medications to the patient’s bedside carefully, and keep the medications in sight at all times.
13.	Perform hand hygiene.
14.	Identify the patient. Usually, the patient should be identified using two methods. Compare information with the patient’s chart- a. Check the name and identification number on the patient’s identification band. b. Ask the patient to state his or her name. c. If the patient cannot identify him or herself, verify the patient’s identification with a staff member who knows the patient for the second source.
15.	Close the door to the room or pull the bedside curtain
16.	Complete necessary assessments before administering medications. Check allergy bracelet or ask patient about allergies. Explain the purpose and action of the medication to the patient.
17.	Assess IV site for presence of inflammation or infiltration.
18.	If IV infusion is being administered via an infusion pump, pause the pump.
19.	Put on clean gloves
20.	Select injection port on tubing that is closest to venipuncture site. Clean port with antimicrobial swab.
21.	Uncap syringe. Steady port with your nondominant hand while inserting syringe, needleless device, or needle into center of port.
22.	Move your nondominant hand to the section of IV tubing just above the injection port. Fold tubing between your fingers.
23.	Pull back slightly on plunger just until blood appears in tubing
24.	Inject medication at recommended rate.
25.	Release the tubing. Remove the syringe. Do not recap the used needle. Engage the safety shield or needle guard, if present. Release the tubing and allow the IV fluid to flow. Discard the needle and syringe in the appropriate receptacle.
26.	Check IV fluid infusion rate. Restart infusion pump, if appropriate.
27.	Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
28.	Evaluate patient’s response to medication within appropriate time frame.