administration of sodium bicarb

Nurses General Nursing

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Who should give sodium bicarbonate? resident doctors or nurses? Because I'm quite confused about this matter. I used to work in a tertiary hospital and our nursing department is quite protective of us when it comes to administration of dangerous meds such as sodium bicarb and magnesium sulfate. Our level heads are fighting for our right to refuse to administer such meds if the resident on duty is around but if in case of emergency, a nurse supervisor who is very well knowledgeable about emergency nursing can administer the dose.

Right now, I just got started working in a smaller hospital in which they wanted me to administer sodium bicarb that is incorporated in a 1 liter PLR. She prepared it but she wanted me to hook it to the patient. So I refused.

Am I right or Is it just a matter of different policy per hospital regarding meds administration? who should give sodium bicarb? I fear that if I try to adopt on their style, I could harm a patient. HELP!:uhoh3:

who should give sodium bicarbonate? resident doctors or nurses? because i'm quite confused about this matter. i used to work in a tertiary hospital and our nursing department is quite protective of us when it comes to administration of dangerous meds such as sodium bicarb and magnesium sulfate. our level heads are fighting for our right to refuse to administer such meds if the resident on duty is around but if in case of emergency, a nurse supervisor who is very well knowledgeable about emergency nursing can administer the dose.

right now, i just got started working in a smaller hospital in which they wanted me to administer sodium bicarb that is incorporated in a 1 liter plr. she prepared it but she wanted me to hook it to the patient. so i refused.

am i right or is it just a matter of different policy per hospital regarding meds administration? who should give sodium bicarb? i fear that if i try to adopt on their style, i could harm a patient. help!:uhoh3:

i am not a nurse yet, but have taken a med dosage class. they told us that we do not ever administer a med that we do not draw up/prepare ourselves. not sure if it's the same in the "real world" of nursing. i would hope it is.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.
I am not a Nurse yet, but have taken a Med Dosage class. They told us that we do not ever administer a med that we do not draw up/prepare ourselves. Not sure if it's the same in the "real world" of Nursing. I would hope it is.

Well most of the time these are made in the pharmacy...so of course you will hang a med that you did not prepare. I agree in general never give a pill or something that you did not pull or directly witness.

On the Bicarb...we use the drips and the pushes all the time on my unit..Mag too. I have no issue giving these drugs. Learn about them and what to watch for and you should not have an issue. If I had to wait for a Doc to come and give Bicarb to my pt last week whose HCO3 was 3.9....well I think we all know what the outcome would have been....

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
I am not a Nurse yet, but have taken a Med Dosage class. They told us that we do not ever administer a med that we do not draw up/prepare ourselves. Not sure if it's the same in the "real world" of Nursing. I would hope it is.

I tried this once-, and I got my butt chewed out real quick! It's not real world. If you see it drawn up, verify it and give it. You're not going to be able to draw up and give every med during a code or trauma.

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