Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Intravenous drug administration:

1. Is performed only by the doctor

2. Can be done by a nurse if told so by the doctor

3. Must be confirmed by the head of the department

4. Is often associated with hematomas

The correct answer is: Can be done by a nurse if told so by the doctor

Intravenous drug administration can indeed be performed by a nurse when they receive the appropriate orders from a physician. This practice is common in many healthcare settings where nurses are trained and authorized to administer medications, including IV drugs, under established protocols. The nurse must follow the guidelines set by their institution, which typically include confirming the correct medication, dosage, and patient identification, as well as monitoring the patient for any adverse reactions during the administration. This level of responsibility allows for efficient patient care while ensuring safety through collaboration with healthcare providers. The other choices suggest limitations or misconceptions about the role of nurses in medication administration. While it is true that the physician is responsible for prescribing the medication, it is not accurate to state that IV administration is solely the responsibility of doctors or requires confirmation from the head of the department for every administration. Additionally, while hematomas can be a complication of IV drug administration, this is not a defining feature of the procedure itself; complications can arise from various factors such as technique, the condition of the patient’s veins, or the medication used, rather than IV administration being commonly associated with hematomas.