Question

The nurse is preparing an intravenous (IV) set before starting the infusion. After removing the cap from the IV tubing port on the IV bag, the nurse removes the cover from the tubing insertion spike but then touches the spike with a finger. What should the nurse do next?

a) Wipe the spike with an alcohol swab
b) Proceed with the infusion
c) Discard the tubing and use a new one
d) Ask a colleague for assistance

Answer 1

The nurse should discard the contaminated IV tubing and use a new one to ensure aseptic technique and prevent patient infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, after contaminating the IV tubing insertion spike by touching it with a finger, the nurse must maintain aseptic technique and must not proceed with the infusion. The correct action is to discard the tubing and replace it with a new, sterile set. This is because any contact with non-sterile objects, such as hands, can introduce microbes into the sterile system, which can lead to infection for the patient. According to best practices in medical and laboratory settings, including nursing protocols and bacteriological culture methods, maintaining sterility is imperative.

Given this information, the proper choice is:
c) Discard the tubing and use a new one.

It is not sufficient to wipe the spike with an alcohol swab because the sterility of the entire system is compromised once the spike has been touched. Following proper aseptic techniques ensures patient safety and prevents healthcare-associated infections.