Question

A nurse is preparing to administer reconstituted doxorubicin (Myocet) to a client with thyroid carcinoma. Nuclear medicine calls for the client, and the nurse is unable to administer the medication. Which action should the nurse perform with the medication?

Save the medication in a syringe with an aluminum needle

Store the medication in the refrigerator inside the syringe

Discard the medication in the hazardous waste container

Add the medication to the intravenous fluids in the client's room

Answer 1

When a nurse cannot administer reconstituted doxorubicin due to a client's absence for a nuclear medicine procedure, typically, the medication should be discarded in a hazardous waste container, adhering to safety protocols and healthcare regulations.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is unable to administer reconstituted doxorubicin (Myocet) to a client with thyroid carcinoma due to the client being called for a nuclear medicine procedure, the appropriate action would depend on the medication's stability and storage instructions. Doxorubicin, as a chemotherapeutic agent, has specific handling and storage requirements. If the medication schedule is interrupted, the nurse should refer to the institution's policies and the medication's prescribing information.

Typically, the medication should not be saved once it is drawn into a syringe due to stability concerns and the risk of contamination. It also should not be added to the intravenous fluids in the client's room due to the risk of administering an incorrect dose or causing an adverse reaction. The most common practice in such cases, assuming an immediate alternative time for administration cannot be found, would be to discard the medication in the hazardous waste container following proper protocol to ensure safety and compliance with healthcare regulations.

It is important to note that these actions are taken to maintain patient safety, medication efficacy, and to follow legal and healthcare standards for the handling of hazardous materials.