Published Feb 6, 2004
demahja
1 Post
does anyone have any advice about handling 5-FU for portable pump mixing for chemo pts.?
globalRN
446 Posts
If pregnant, I wouldn't do it and never did.
Other colleagues(not pregnant) would handle or administer
the chemotherapy.
Similarly, for pregnant colleagues, I would handle the chemotherapy (when I wasn't pregnant) so they would not have to.
caroladybelle, BSN, RN
5,486 Posts
OSHA has regulations on pregnant ( or those trying to become pregnant) handling chemo, po or IV.
Most good hospitals discourage pregnant nurses from handling chemo, especially mixing it. While it can be safe, there is always a risk of spills/contamination.
Also remember that drugs such as inhaled pentamidine (for PCP opportunistic pneumonia) and ganglicyclovir can be as hazardous or more so to pregnant nurses as chemo.