hand. However, cubital veins should be avoided except in emergency situation
because cubital veins are used for withdrawing blood specimens for laboratory
testing. Start an IV at the hand and then work toward the cubital vein.
IV injections use a 21- to 23-gauge needle that are 1 to 1.5 inches in length.
Use the larger bore for viscous (thicker) drugs. IV lines are inserted with a but-
terfly needle or with an angiocatheter that ranges from 14 gauge for whole blood
or fractions of blood to 23 gauge for rapid infusion. Medication may be admin-
istered directly into the vein with a syringe, into an intermittent catheter inserted
into the patient’s vein, or injected into intravenous fluids such as 5% Dextrose
in Water (D 5 W) and delivered as an intravenous drip called a piggy back.
Here’s how to administer medication IV:- Check the prescriber’s medication order.
- Wash hands and then put on clean gloves.
- Properly identify the patient.
- Cleanse the area of the site in a circular motion using alcohol or betadine
as per the agency guidelines. - Apply a tourniquet above the site.
- Insert the butterfly or catheter into the vein until blood returns through the
butterfly or catheter. - Remove the tourniquet.
- Stabilize the needle or catheter.
- Dress the site according to your healthcare agency’s policy.
- Monitor the flow rate of the IV fluid, distal pulses, skin color (redness
[infection]), skin temperature, insertion site for infiltration (swelling), and
side effects of the medication since the action of the medication occurs
rapidly. - Follow policy agency policy regarding adding medications to the fluid in
the bottle or bag, piggy back technique, and intravenous push.
Summary
Medication is given to a patient using one of several routes depending on the
nature of the medication and the patient’s condition. The prescriber selects the
route, which is written in the medication order.
The oral route is used for tablets, capsules, liquids, suspensions, and elixirs.
Don’t use this route if the patient cannot swallow or is not conscious or alert.
The sublingual and buccal routes are used for rapid absorption of medication
because blood vessels are close to the surface of the tongue and gums. The trans-(^110) CHAPTER 6 Route of Administration