A child with pancytopenia is getting a blood transfusion and it is time to administer her IV antibiotic.The child has only one IV line.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Administer the antibiotic with the blood.
B) Obtain an order for an oral antibiotic.
C) Start a new peripheral IV in another site.
D) Stop the blood to give the antibiotic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This child needs two IV sites or a multi-lumen IV catheter.Ideally this would have been done prior to starting the transfusion,but at this point the best option is to start another IV to administer the antibiotic.Other than normal saline,nothing can be run with blood.If there is no way to obtain another IV site,the nurse and provider would determine which was the priority.Blood transfusions should not be interrupted due to the chance of contamination and the need for strict adherence to the timeframe in which it is administered.

A Child with Pancytopenia Is Getting a Blood Transfusion and It