Administer IV Injection
⚠️ Safety first: Always check allergies and confirm the correct patient before giving IV drugs. A simple error can be life-threatening.
👋 Introduction
- Wash hands, wear PPE, and ensure your name badge is visible.
- Introduce yourself and confirm patient identity (3 identifiers: name, DOB, wristband).
- Explain the procedure: “I need to give you medicine through your drip.”
- Check allergies (ask and confirm chart/wristband) and potential interactions (📖 BNF).
- Ensure verbal consent is obtained.
🧰 Equipment
- Appropriate needle/syringe (e.g. green needle, 5–10 mL syringes).
- Prescribed drug vial/ampoule (check name, dose, expiry, clarity).
- Drawing-up needle & filter needle if required.
- Alcohol wipes, sharps bin, saline flush if needed.
- Functioning IV cannula or central line access.
💉 Technique
- Check the prescription against the patient details (💊 “right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right patient”).
- Prepare the drug using an aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).
- Clean the vial/ampoule top, draw up with needle/syringe, expel air bubbles.
- Confirm cannula patency with a flush (no swelling or resistance).
- Administer the drug slowly as per BNF guidance (some require dilution or rate limits).
- Observe the patient closely during and after administration for adverse reactions.
✅ Finally
- Dispose of sharps and waste safely in correct bins.
- Document on the drug chart: date, time, drug, dose, your signature.
- Inform nursing staff the medication has been given.
- Check the patient is comfortable and thank them.
- Be ready to recognise and treat anaphylaxis (🧯 IM adrenaline, call for help, follow ALS algorithm).
📚 Teaching Pearls
- Always check dilution and rate – e.g. IV potassium must never be given undiluted.
- Slow IV push is safer – too fast can cause arrhythmias or hypotension.
- If in doubt – STOP and double-check with a senior or pharmacy.
- Never give IV drugs through a line that isn’t flushing freely.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
- Not checking patient allergies ❌ – risk of fatal reactions.
- Using the wrong vial due to similar packaging (look-alike drugs).
- Not checking cannula patency → causes extravasation injury.
- Forgetting to document → medico-legal and patient safety risk.
