What is a general guideline for programming an infusion pump for a prescribed rate?

• A. Enter the total volume to be infused and the desired rate (mL/hour) or time, verify drug name and concentration, and confirm patient identity.
• B. Set the rate and walk away; verification can wait.
• C. Program the pump by volume only and skip patient checks.
• D. Program the rate without confirming drug name.

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is safety checks before starting any infusion. The safest and most appropriate approach is to enter the total volume to be infused and the prescribed rate (in mL/hour) or the intended time, and then verify the drug name and concentration while confirming the patient’s identity. This triple-check helps ensure the pump delivers the correct medication at the correct rate to the right patient, reducing the risk of medication errors, overdosing, or underdosing.

Setting the rate and walking away without verification is unsafe because errors in drug selection, concentration, or patient matching can occur after the rate is set. Programming by volume alone and skipping patient checks bypasses essential safeguards, increasing the chance of delivering the wrong infusion. Not confirming the drug name also risks administering the incorrect medication. By contrast, the practiced approach—accurate programming plus confirmation of drug name, concentration, and patient identity—best supports patient safety.