The nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerine via the intravenous route. What must the nurse plan to do prior to administering this medication?

Question

1. Use gloves to prevent self-administration.
2. Instruct the patient to avoid moving the arm in which the medication is infusing.
3. Cover the intravenous (IV) bottle to decrease light exposure.
4. Darken the room to decrease light exposure.

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: Wearing gloves is indicated when the nurse is administering nitroglycerine paste or ointment to prevent self-administration.
Rationale 2: There is no reason for the patient to avoid arm movement during intravenous (IV) administration of nitroglycerine.
Rationale 3: For intravenous (IV) administration, cover the intravenous (IV) bottle to reduce degradation of nitrates due to light exposure.
Rationale 4: Darkening the room is not as effective as covering the intravenous (IV) bottle in decreasing light exposure. Also, the patient might not want the room darkened.
Global Rationale: For intravenous (IV) administration, cover the intravenous (IV) bottle to reduce degradation of nitrates due to light exposure. Wearing gloves is indicated when the nurse is administering nitroglycerine paste or ointment to prevent self-administration. Darkening the room is not as effective as covering the intravenous (IV) bottle in decreasing light exposure. Also, the patient might not want the room darkened. There is no reason for the patient to avoid arm movement during intravenous (IV) administration of nitroglycerine.