A nurse is preparing to administer an unfamiliar IV medication. The pharmacy has provided the drug but the nurse is uncertain about the safe administration rate. What is the correct action?

Safe IV medication administration:

Four rights for IV medications: Right drug, right dose, right patient, right time PLUS right rate for IV medications.

Safe IV rates: Critically important — many IV drugs must be administered over a specified time to prevent adverse effects; too fast = cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, CNS toxicity.

Specific examples: Vancomycin: minimum 60 min for 1g (Red Man Syndrome if too fast); potassium IV: maximum 10-20 mEq/hr peripheral; IV calcium: slowly — cardiac arrest risk if rapid push; morphine IV push: typically over 4-5 minutes; furosemide IV: over 1-2 minutes; phenytoin: ≤50 mg/min.

Resources: Drug handbook (keep one at the bedside); clinical pharmacist (available by phone 24/7 in most hospitals); package insert; facility infusion guideline.

Never: Guess; ask a non-pharmacist non-prescriber for dosing guidance; rely on memory alone for unfamiliar medications.

Pn scope: Know your resources; it is SAFE PRACTICE to call pharmacy — not a sign of weakness.