After changing a patient's infusion tubing, what should the nurse assess?

After changing a patient's infusion tubing, it is essential for the nurse to assess both the flow rate of the infusion and the connection site for leakage. This dual assessment ensures the safe and effective delivery of the IV therapy.

Monitoring the flow rate is crucial because it indicates whether the infusion is proceeding as prescribed. If the flow rate is too fast or too slow, it can lead to complications such as fluid overload or inadequate medication dosage.

Simultaneously, inspecting the connection site for leakage is equally critical. Leakage can compromise the efficacy of the treatment and pose risks to the patient, such as causing skin irritation or infection. By checking both the flow rate and the connection site, nurses can promptly identify any potential issues that may arise after changing the tubing.

Although other considerations, such as the patient's medication list, are important in the broader context of patient care, they are not as immediately relevant to the specific action of changing infusion tubing. The priority lies in ensuring that the IV therapy is being delivered correctly and safely.