What equipment is required to administer a bolus does of medication?

Answer 1

A physician's order is required to administer any medication. Assuming the patient has an IV already inserted, the nurse would gather several things beforehand.

A syringe set up is needed (syringe, correct guage needle). The nurse should gather the syringe/needle, 2 alcohol swabs, cotton ball, etc. Some bolus meds without an IV already inserted need a tourniquet.

Next, obtain the vial of medicine and compare the name on the vial to the med order. If vials are issued with the patient's name, the nurse would also verify "right patient" against the order.

Read whether the med needs mixed up (reconsituted) or is already liquid. Verify the dosage is correct since a bolus goes directly into the bloodstream.

With an alcohol swab, wipe the vial stopper to cleanse.

Prepare and draw the med into the syringe. Per the institutions guidelines, label the syringe and go directly to the patient.

At the bedside, verify the medication procedure: right patient, right time, right med, right dose, etc. Re-verify Allergies.

Different meds require different procedures to administer. Know what you must do before entering the patient's room. For example, does this med require administration over 5 minutes?

Adjust the IV rate---IF required for this med. Wipe the port with an alcohol swab. Re-verify the amount in the syringe against the order before inserting and before starting the push.