ADDING MEDICATIONS TO AN INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION

1. Gather all equipment and bring to patient’s beside. Check medication order against physician’s order.
2. Perform hand hygiene.
3. Identify patient by checking the band on the patient’s wrist and asking patient his or her name. Check for any allergies the patient may have.
4. Explain the procedure to the patient.
5. Add medication to IV solution that is infusing.
   1. Check that volume in bag or bottle is adequate.
   2. Close IV clamp.
   3. Clean medication port with alcohol swab.
   4. Steady container. Uncap needle or needleless device and insert it into port. Inject medication.
   5. Remove container from IV pole and gently rotate solution.
   6. Rehang container, open clamp, and readjust flow rate.
   7. Attach label to container so that dose of added medication is apparent.
6. Add medication to IV solution before infusion.
   1. Carefully remove any protective cover and locate injection port. Clean with alcohol swab.
   2. Uncap needle or needleless device and insert into port. Inject medication.
   3. Withdraw needle and insert spike into proper entry site on bag or bottle.
   4. With tubing clamped, gently rotate IV solution in the bag or bottle. Hang the IV bag.
   5. Attach the label to the container so that dose of added medication is apparent.
7. Dispose of equipment according to agency policy.
8. Perform hand hygiene.
9. Chart addition of medication to IV solution. This may be done on the CMAR.
10. Evaluate patient’s response to medication within appropriate time frame.

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