IV Boniva

[melissa_rn]

Just started a new job in a rheumatology office and will be giving an IV Boniva next week. I'm pretty confident in my ability to find a vein....but I'm not sure how the IV Boniva is set up. Will I be able to "pull back" to see if I'm in a vein? Will the tubing fill with blood? Or is the tubing filled with medication? Or air? What happens if I miss the vein? (Do I have to throw the whole thing away?) Also, are there any side effects or anything unusual I should know about this administration?

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

Sorry Melissa,

But are you sure that you should be giving something/doing something that you are so unfamilar with?

I would never administer a medication in which I wasn't aware of its indications, side effects and adverse reactions.

The autonomy that is required in a MD office means that you MUST be prepared and competent to safely administer medication to the patient. Though, you may be saying, "well that is why I'm asking questions!" Here and now is NOT be the place and time.

If I were you, I'd demand to "shadow" another nurse to observe and get questions answered BEFORE, for BETTER patient outcomes. Please don't try to "wing" it.

[melissa_rn]

Don't plan to "wing" it. Plan to get instruction by the doctor (since there hasn't been an RN in the office for a few months) but I wanted to have a bit of a "heads up" from some infusion nurses before going in to it.

[Tolos]

Just started a new job in a rheumatology office and will be giving an IV Boniva next week. I'm pretty confident in my ability to find a vein....but I'm not sure how the IV Boniva is set up. Will I be able to "pull back" to see if I'm in a vein? Will the tubing fill with blood? Or is the tubing filled with medication? Or air? What happens if I miss the vein? (Do I have to throw the whole thing away?) Also, are there any side effects or anything unusual I should know about this administration?

Hi Melissa,

The kit to administer Boniva comes with a butterfly and a tubing attached. First prime the tubing with the med to clear the air. You may request from the suppliers extra tubing in case you miss the vein. Yes pull back to make sure you are in the vein prior to administering. But you do not allow blood to come in contact /mix with the medication when you gain access.You have to access only once with that needle in the kit. Read up on the side effects etc, like you do all other medsthat you administer for accurate patient teaching. It is one of the easiest IV meds you will ever administer as a nurse. Good luck!!!