The health care provider orders diazepam (Valium) 10 mg IV stat for a patient who was admitted with status epilepticus

Question

What important nursing interventions(s) associated with administration of this medication IV should the nurse perform? (Select all that apply.)
a. Apply a cardiac monitor to the patient to assess for continuous heart rate, if not already done.
b. Administer the prescribed dosage over 1 minute.
c. Mix diazepam in a primary IV solution to avoid overdosing.
d. Continuously assess the patient's airway.
e. Obtain the correct dose (10 mg) and administer over slow IV push.

Answer 1

ANS: A, D, E
It is important to monitor the patient for bradycardia during administration of diazepam.
During a seizure of any type, it is important to assess for airway patency continuously. Diazepam should be administered slowly by the IV route at a rate of no more than 5 mg/min. For status epilepticus, 5 to 10 mg is typical, preferably by slow IV. The dose may be repeated every 5 to 10 minutes, up to a total dosage of 30 mg. If necessary, repeat therapy in 2 to 4 hours; other drugs are preferable for long-term control. Diazepam is incompatible with most other IV medications and should not be combined.