Final answer:
The nurse should connect an in-line filter to the infusion tubing and ensure the client has a patent central line before administering intravenous mannitol. The medication should not be diluted with lactated ringers or warmed, as these are not standard practices for mannitol administration. Understanding tonicity is crucial for safely delivering IV drugs and maintaining the osmolarity balance to prevent hemolysis of red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse preparing to administer intravenous mannitol to a client with increased intracranial pressure must perform specific actions to ensure the safe and effective delivery of the medication. One crucial action is to connect an in-line filter to the infusion tubing. This is necessary because mannitol solutions can crystallize, and the filter prevents these potential crystals from entering the patient's bloodstream. The nurse must also verify that the client has a patent central line, as mannitol is often given through a central line due to its high osmolarity which can be irritating to peripheral veins. However, diluting the medication with lactated ringers or preparing an infusion warmer is not standard practice for mannitol administration.
Tonicity is a critical concept in intravenous therapy. Intravenous solutions like normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution are isotonic, which is essential because isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as blood, preventing red blood cells from undergoing hemolysis. When administering medications intravenously, the osmolarity is formulated accordingly to maintain this balance and prevent cell damage.