Question

A pharmacy technician has prepared four IV piggyback doses of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim for 24-hour dosing for a patient. The technician asked the pharmacist to verify the medication before delivery to the patient ward. What is a concern regarding the preparation? A) Compatibility with other IV medications B) Adequate labeling for identification C) Proper storage temperature D) Proper expiration date

Answer 1

A) Compatibility with other IV medications

The primary concern regarding the preparation of IV piggyback doses of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is the compatibility of this medication with other IV medications that the patient may be receiving. IV medications must be carefully checked for compatibility to ensure that they do not interact or precipitate when mixed together in the same IV line. The pharmacist should verify that mixing this medication with any other IV medications the patient is receiving is safe and will not result in adverse effects or reduced drug efficacy. This is a critical step in preventing potential harm to the patient.