What should a nurse do if the IV of ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is occluded before discharge?

When faced with an occluded IV line for the administration of ceftriaxone, it is essential to address the situation carefully to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. Opting to contact the prescriber to request a prescription change is the most appropriate action in this scenario.

Ceftriaxone is typically administered intravenously for effective and rapid absorption. If the IV route becomes unavailable due to occlusion, continuing treatment via that method cannot be guaranteed, and this could put the patient at risk for inadequate dosing.

By contacting the prescriber, the nurse can discuss alternative routes of administration or potentially switch to a different medication that can be given through an alternative route, such as intramuscular injection or possibly oral medication if appropriate. This ensures that the patient continues to receive necessary treatment without unnecessary delays or complications that could arise from a compromised IV access.

While restarting the IV or switching to intramuscular administration may seem like viable options, they either risk delaying treatment or might not be feasible depending on the patient's condition. Arranging for early discharge would not be prudent since the patient requires treatment that is currently impeded. Hence, reaching out for a prescription change represents the best course of action to uphold patient care standards.