Hello, Im a new nurse who got hired in adult psych inpatient.
I learned antipsychotics at school and I thought I knew most psych meds pretty well.
Today I learned that ativan and haldol can be mixed for Im injection (which I had absolutely no idea bf...). I came home and started looking up (as I freaked out for not knowing such basics...sigh) Im really sorry for asking a dumb question here ?
I checked textbook but theres nothing about mixing psych IM meds...
Is there any other psych meds that can be mixed for injection?
If so, what are they? And which ones should I draw up first?
I am glad I found this thread. I am having a similar concern at a psych ER that I am currently in orientation with. I know good and well that Benadryl cannot be mixed in a cocktail but this facility is drawing up the Ativan, Haldol, and Benadryl all in one syringe. When I made a point of asking about this, I was told that it "takes too long" to administer two IM's during a takedown. This facility takes in violent, psychotic patients who are out of control. I am not a new nurse by any means but being the "newbie" honestly sucks. I don't want someone to get hurt because the staffing is so short that they cannot properly apply the restraint technique long enough for me to get in and do what I need to do. I am well practiced with giving two IM's quickly but I am also realizing that I am going to be the only nurse giving two shots during takedowns. I am worried that this is going to cause some static with my new co-workers. Any advice?
It's much safer to have two nurses in this situation--one on each side. On our unit we give Benadryl in one arm simultaneously with Haldol and Ativan in the other. I know lots of other places mix all three and as long as it's given quickly it's probably just fine. But having two nurses there is good for a lot of reason, including safety, liability, etc. Is your unit so understaffed that you can't spare an extra nurse for the two minutes it takes to give an IM? That would concern me. I'd hate to be the only nurse responsible for something going haywire.
maggie0, BSN, RN
90 Posts
It's much safer to have two nurses in this situation--one on each side. On our unit we give Benadryl in one arm simultaneously with Haldol and Ativan in the other. I know lots of other places mix all three and as long as it's given quickly it's probably just fine. But having two nurses there is good for a lot of reason, including safety, liability, etc. Is your unit so understaffed that you can't spare an extra nurse for the two minutes it takes to give an IM? That would concern me. I'd hate to be the only nurse responsible for something going haywire.