A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving an IV fluid infusion. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to maintain asepsis?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Change the secondary IV infusion set twice weekly: Secondary IV sets, such as piggyback infusions, should generally be changed every 24 hours to reduce the risk of contamination and infection. Changing them twice weekly would not maintain proper asepsis. B. Change a continuously infusing IV bag after 48 hr: Continuous IV bags should be replaced at least every 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Waiting 48 hours increases the risk of microbial contamination and bloodstream infections. C. Change the primary IV infusion set every 96 hr: Changing the primary IV infusion set every 96 hours (4 days) aligns with standard infection-control guidelines. This interval helps maintain asepsis while minimizing the risk of IV-related infections. D. Change the extension tubing once per week: Extension tubing connected to the IV line should be changed more frequently, typically every 72 to 96 hours, to prevent contamination. Once per week is too infrequent and increases infection risk.