A nurse flushes an intravenous lock before and after administering a medication. What is the rationale for this step?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Flushing the intravenous lock before and after administering a medication helps to clear any residual medication and prevents clot formation, ensuring that the medication is delivered properly and the patient receives the full dose. It also helps to maintain the patency of the line, reducing the risk of infection. Keeping the inside of the needle or catheter sterile is also important, but this is typically achieved through proper hand hygiene and sterile technique during insertion and care of the line. Patient comfort and anxiety are important considerations, but flushing the line is not directly related to these factors. Diluting the infusion and maintaining homeostasis are not relevant to the use of intravenous locks or flushing.

A Nurse Flushes an Intravenous Lock Before and After Administering