Blood transfusion question

[student2008]

got a question. I have a casy study question that says.....you are working a very busy med-surg unit and note an order for Benadryl 50 mg IV to be given before blood transfuion. the pharmacy sends up a bottle of childrens benadryl with the label stating give 50 mg IV prior to blood.

What is your initial action?

Would you not call Pharmacy to clarify.:imbar

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

First, look it up in your drug book. Second, read the label. Third, call the pharmacy. From my experience with this med, 50 mg IV is too much for a child.

(But I'll leave it to you to look up, as I could be wrong. That's why you don't ask another nurse, by the way.)

[student2008]

I looked it up in my drug book, but the problem is, I don't know if it's a child or an adult...Mmmm I may have just answered my own question! LOL

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

the pharmacy made a boo boo. i'd send the bottle back and ask them to send me the correct form of the drug. here's why:

1. remember the 5 r's of drug administration
   • right patient
     
   • right route
     
   • right dose
     
   • right time
     
   • right medication
     
   • question: is children's benadryl the right medication to give iv?
     

[*]check a drug reference:

• this is information about benadryl elixir: http://www.drugs.com/cdi/benadryl-allergy-elixir.html
  
• this is information about benadryl injection: http://www.drugs.com/pro/benadryl-injection.html
  

[Critical_Care_RN]

the pharmacy made a boo boo. i'd send the bottle back and ask them to send me the correct form of the drug. here's why:

1. remember the 5 r's of drug administration
   • right patient
     
   • right route
     
   • right dose
     
   • right time
     
   • right medication
     
   • question: is children's benadryl the right medication to give iv?

i agree. in this scenario, pharmacy has sent the wrong drug so i'd send it back and ask them to send me the right form of the drug for iv administration.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

My initial action would be to wonder what drugs the pharmacist was diverting that caused them to send you that.....

As above, benadryl elixir cannot be given IV.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

My initial action would be to wonder what drugs the pharmacist was diverting that caused them to send you that.....

As above, benadryl elixir cannot be given IV.

Remember when I said not to ask another nurse? Totally missed that it was an elixir!! An elixir, as all three posters noted, is not given IV.

:imbar I'm so embarrassed.