Benzie 48 years old is receiving intravenous antibiotic treatment. What should the nurse do in regard to IV equipment?

• A. Wash hands before and after handling IV equipment
• B. Change IV tubing every 8 hours
• C. Administer IV fluids at a slower rate
• D. Avoid hand washing

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene when handling IV equipment is essential to prevent infection. Bacteria on hands can contaminate IV tubing, connectors, and catheter hubs, leading to catheter-related bloodstream infections. Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer before touching any part of the IV setup and after removing gloves reduces this risk and is a fundamental safety practice. Clean the injection ports with an appropriate antiseptic before accessing them, and follow aseptic technique throughout any IV manipulation.

The other points aren’t about preventing equipment contamination: changing tubing every 8 hours depends on facility policy and the type of tubing; adjusting the IV rate is a treatment decision, not a technique for handling equipment; and avoiding hand washing would defeat infection-control goals.