This document discusses the legal and ethical responsibilities of nurses administering intravenous (IV) therapy. It outlines four areas of accountability for nurses: to the public, patients, employers, and profession. It also lists several potential errors in IV administration that could lead to legal issues, such as administering the wrong drug or dose. The document emphasizes the importance of following standards of practice, documenting all aspects of IV therapy accurately, and obtaining informed consent from patients. Nurses are legally responsible for any errors or harm that occur due to improper administration of IV therapy.

3. Legal
Ethical
Documentation

4.  4 arenas of Accountability
To the public
To the patient
To the employer
To the profession

5.  Prepare, initiate ( Emergency & Critical area ) and
terminate IV therapy based on physician’s written
prescription.
 Determine solution and medication
incompatibilities.
 Assess all adverse reactions related to IV therapy
and initiate appropriate nursing interventions.

6.  Administer medications, chemotherapeutic drugs, flow
rates of solutions, compatible blood/blood components
and parenteral nutrition as prescribed by the physician.
 Adhere to established infection control practices.
 Maintain proper care of IV equipments.
 Document relevant data in the preparation,
administration and termination of all forms of IV therapy

7.  Wrong drug route
 Inappropriate timing
 Wrong drug name , looks alike name
 Wrong dilution fluid type/volume
 IV cannula inappropriate size and location
 Not calculated fluid rate*
 No label of dilution*

8.  Lack of confidence
 Negligence
 Tubing more than allowed*
 Not following aseptic precautions*
 Not documenting accurately
 No regular assessment & follow ups*
 Legislation impractical

9.  Code of professional conduct adherence
 Reading
 Asking to alleviate doubt
 Listen to the patients complaints carefully

10. Rights
Drug
Route
Doc
Dose
Time
Patient

11.  Lawsuits or suing by patients
 License withdrawal
 Profession risks
 Loss of Confidence from Public

12.  In 1993 Los Anglels ,continous infusion
of 145 mg morphine over 18 hours led to
patient’s death.
 Discuss why !!!!!

13.  Wrong dose of xylocaine given to patient,
order is 100 mg ,, the nurse injected 2
gram IV .

14.  A nurse failed to clamp a pump regulating
the flow of inj.Gentamycin to a child
through central line,
The child became totally deaf due to over
dose seven times duoble the prescribed
dose

15. • ER Nurse misplaced IV Line and fluid
infiltrated into patient’s hand resulting in
reflex sympathetic dystrophy ..
• The patient could not return to work and
won 702000 USD

16.  Following the standards of practice
always is the best method to protect your
self & your patient
 Listening to the patients is crucial part of
your assessment and care.
 Disinfecting cannula covers or IV ports
is a healthy practice prior to & after use
 Flushing of IV catheter after giving drugs
prolong the life and patency of catheter

17.  As a practioners , you are required legally
to document the following:
› cannula size & location
› Date & time
› Solution/drug type
› Additive added
› Flow rate
› Device used
› Patient teaching

18.  IV cannula labelling
 IV Therapy maintenance documentation:
› Site condition
› Site care provided
› Dressing changes /tegaderm or plaster
› Site changes
› Flow rate
› I/O details
› Tubing & solution changes
› Patient teaching

19.  Labeling bottles of fluids/drugs is very
critical, can’t be neglected:
› Patient’s name
› ID no
› Bed no
› Date & time hung
› Any additive added
› Flow rate
› Time started
› Sequential contained no
› Your name
 Do not put the labler over the fluid type

21.  Intravenous therapy Course Manual,2004,
Training Directorate, SQUH, Oman
 I.V Therapy made incredibly easy,
1998,springhouse, USA
 Ramona Heidi C Palad,2011, The ethico-legal
aspects of IV Therapy, power point
presentation, accessed on 3/2/2013,
http://www.slideshare.net/uglykidbhong/the-
ethico-legal-aspects-of-iv-therapy