The perinatal nurse is directing a student nurse in giving intravenous fentanyl citrate (Sublimaze) to a woman in labor. Which actions by the student would require the registered nurse to intervene?

Question

A.
Administers the medication between contractions
B.
Administers the medication during a contraction
C.
Checks the three rights prior to administration
D.
Injects the medication rapidly
E.
Injects the medication slowly

Answer 1

ANS: A, C, D
Sublimaze (and all opioid analgesics) should be administered during contractions so that the fetus has less exposure to the drug due to uterine vasoconstriction. There are five rights to medication administration (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time). The medication should be injected slowly. The nurse should intervene if the student injects the medication between contractions, checks only three rights of medication administration, and injects the medication rapidly.