Which action should the nurse take to ensure an intravenous infusion will be administered safely to an infant?

Question

A) Add a calibrated fluid chamber to the line.
B) Use a large-bore needle to prevent plugging.
C) Use a rolled pillowcase instead of a hard arm board.
D) Hang the infusion bag no higher than 4 ft above the infant's head.

Answer 1

A
Feedback:
Overloading of IV fluid in infants can be prevented by use of fluid chambers, devices that allow only 50 to 100 ml of fluid into the drip chamber at a time. With these in place, even if the pump fails, only the amount of fluid in the drip chamber will be allowed to enter the child's circulation, not the entire contents of the bag suspended above the child's head. A large-bore needle will not ensure that intravenous fluids will be administered safely to an infant. Using a rolled pillowcase instead of a hard arm board also will not ensure that intravenous fluids will be administered safely to an infant. The height of the infusion bag will not ensure that fluids will be administered safely to an infant.