You are provided with a prescribed intravenous medication and a manikin with an established peripheral IV cannula. Demonstrate the standard protocol for safely preparing and administering the drug through the IV route and completing the procedure appropriately.

🔢 Stepwise Procedure / Approach

1. Verify the prescription and medication.
  Confirm the correct patient, drug, dose, time, IV route, indication, allergies, expiry, required dilution and recommended administration rate.

1. Perform hand hygiene and prepare the medication.
  Gather the required equipment and prepare the drug using aseptic non-touch technique; remove air from the syringe and label it when appropriate.
2. Identify the patient and explain the procedure.
  Confirm identity using appropriate identifiers, explain IV drug administration and obtain consent.
3. Inspect the IV cannula and site.
  Check that the cannula is secure and look for pain, redness, swelling, leakage, infiltration or phlebitis before use.
4. Decontaminate the access port.
  Scrub the needle-free connector with the recommended antiseptic and allow it to dry; avoid touching the disinfected connection.
5. Confirm cannula patency.
  Where appropriate and compatible with local protocol, attach a sterile 0.9% saline flush and gently flush the cannula using a push-pause technique. Stop if there is pain, swelling or abnormal resistance.
6. Administer the IV medication.
  Attach the medication syringe securely and inject the drug at the drug-specific recommended rate while observing the cannula site and the patient/manikin.
7. Flush and close the IV access.
  After administration, flush the cannula with a compatible solution as required, then clamp or close the line/port correctly.
8. Complete the procedure safely.
  Dispose of sharps immediately without recapping, discard other waste appropriately, perform hand hygiene, document the drug, dose, route and time, and monitor for adverse effects.

Exam focus: Never force a resistant IV line. Pain, swelling, leakage or unexpected resistance suggests that the cannula may not be safe to use.

🖼️ Visual Learning

VISUAL 1

Intravenous Drug Administration Through an Existing Peripheral Cannula

🎥 Practical Video

🎥 Practical Demonstration

NHSGGC — Introduction to Intravenous Medicine Administration

Demonstration from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde covering the principles and practical sequence of safe intravenous medicine administration.
▶ Watch Practical Video

📝 Important Viva Questions

Q1. What should be checked before administering an IV drug?

Answer: Confirm the patient, prescribed drug, dose, time, IV route, allergies, expiry, dilution and required rate of administration.

Q2. Why must the IV cannula site be inspected before drug administration?

Answer: To identify complications such as infiltration, extravasation, phlebitis, leakage or displacement before the drug is given.

Q3. Why is the IV access port disinfected before connecting a syringe?

Answer: To reduce microbial contamination of the intravenous system and the risk of catheter-related infection.

Q4. What findings during flushing suggest that the cannula should not be used?

Answer: Pain, swelling, leakage or unexpected resistance. Stop and reassess the cannula rather than forcing the flush.

Q5. Why are some IV drugs administered slowly?

Answer: Rapid administration can produce serious concentration-related adverse effects. The drug should therefore be given at its recommended rate.

Q6. Why may the cannula be flushed after IV medication administration?

Answer: A compatible flush helps deliver residual medication from the cannula or extension tubing and helps maintain line patency when required by protocol.

Q7. What is a major aseptic principle during IV drug administration?

Answer: Use aseptic non-touch technique and avoid touching critical parts such as syringe tips and disinfected IV connectors.

Q8. What should be documented after administering an IV drug?

Answer: Record the medication, dose, IV route, date and time of administration and any relevant observations or adverse reactions according to local policy.

🎯 Task