A nurse is preparing to administer a nasogastric (NG) tube feeding to a school-age child. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Give an antibiotic 30 min before dialysis: Some antibiotics may require timing adjustments around dialysis, but this depends on the specific drug and provider orders. Administering antibiotics is not universally required before each dialysis session.

B. Check the vascular access site for bleeding after dialysis: Monitoring the vascular access site for bleeding, swelling, or infection is a critical safety measure after hemodialysis. Proper assessment helps prevent complications such as hemorrhage or thrombosis.

C. Rehydrate with dextrose 5% in water for orthostatic hypotension: Fluid administration during or after dialysis must be carefully managed due to the risk of fluid overload. Standard rehydration with dextrose 5% in water is not routinely recommended for hypotension after dialysis.

D. Withhold all medications until after dialysis: Not all medications should be withheld; some are given before or during dialysis depending on their pharmacokinetics and dialysis clearance. Blanket withholding of medications can be unsafe and may lead to untreated conditions.

Rationale:

A. Obtain filterless IV tubing: Blood transfusions require specialized IV tubing with an in-line filter to remove clots and debris. Using filterless tubing would increase the risk of transfusing particulate matter into the client’s bloodstream.

B. Place the blood in a warmer for 1 hr: Blood should only be warmed if specifically prescribed and done using an approved device immediately before administration. Prolonged warming increases the risk of bacterial growth and hemolysis.

C. Use a 24-gauge IV catheter: Packed RBCs should be administered through a larger-bore catheter (typically 18–20 gauge) to allow adequate flow and prevent hemolysis. A 24-gauge catheter is too small for efficient transfusion.

D. Prime IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride: Normal saline is the only compatible solution for priming and administering blood products. It prevents clotting and hemolysis while ensuring that the blood flows freely without interacting with other IV solutions.