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ms redsuzy
direct inject iv nubain

 i have been posed a question from the ob unit of my hospital, it seems a certain md wants nurses to directly iv inject nubain without a saline lock. we do not feel this is a safe practice but have no literature to back us up. we also do not know the reason for this request. any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks

lynncrni
I have given this drug IV in

I have given this drug IV in the past but it is no longer listed any any recent drug book that I have. I do not believe that it is safe to give any drug by a direct injection. I define that as a straight needle on the end of a syringe used to make the venipuncture and directly inject from the syringe into the vein. I would never give any drug in this manner, regardless of who prescribed it that way. In my opinion, the method of IV injection is within the nursing scope of practice and depends on the patient assessment and knowledge of the drug and its side effects and the requirements for safe IV administration. This is not determined by the physician who prescribes the drug, dose, and route. If the patient is only going to need 1 dose and there is no risk of tissue damage with infiltration, I might use a butterfly to make the venipuncture, then aspirate for a blood return, flush with saline to further assess the site, then give the drug, flush with saline again, and remove the butterfly needle. If there was any indication that additional doses would be needed I would place a saline lock but frequently assess to ensure that it is removed as soon as possible after the need for any IV med has passed. So by my definition of direct injection - never for any drug in any situation. Lynn

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI

Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.

126 Main Street, PO Box 10

Milner, GA 30257

Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com

Office Phone 770-358-7861

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