Question

What is the most important consideration for the RN when administering medication using an IV piggyback setup? Select the best answer from list below.  

Ensuring the secondary bag is thoroughly mixed

The rate of the infusion

Adverse effects of the medication

Compatibility with the primary fluid

Answer 1

Ans) The rate of infusion

Explaination:

Intravenous intermittent infusion is an infusion of a volume of fluid/medication over a set period of time at prescribed intervals and then stopped until the next dose is required. An intermittent IV medication may be called a piggyback medication, a secondary medication, or a mini bag medication (see Figure 7.16). Intravenous medications may be given in small volumes of sterile IV solution (25 to 250 ml) and infused over a desired amount of time (given for 30 minutes every 4 hours) or as a single dose. Many medications must be given slowly to prevent harm to the patient, and this method of administration reduces the risk of rapid infusion. A piggyback medication is given through an established IV line that is kept patent by a continuous IV solution or by flushing a short venous access device (saline lock). Always check the Parenteral Drug Therapy Manual PDTM to ensure the correct guidelines are followed for each specific medication given in IV solution. The PDTM provides guidelines on how to mix the IV medication, the amount and type of solution, and the rate of infusion.