When should the nurse reassess the IV site after administering an IV piggyback medication?

The correct answer is to reassess the IV site after the infusion has completed. Reassessing the IV site at this point is crucial to ensure that there are no complications such as infiltration, phlebitis, or any signs of irritation following the medication administration. After the infusion has been completed, it is essential to check the site to confirm that the vein remains intact and that the patient has not developed any adverse reactions related to the IV therapy.

When assessing the timing for reassessment, it's important to recognize that immediate evaluation after the infusion can sometimes overlook subtle signs that may become apparent once the medication is fully infused and the IV catheter has settled. Checking 30 minutes after initiation may be too soon, as it does not allow adequate time to observe any delayed reactions or complications. Additionally, monitoring every hour during the infusion might not be necessary in all cases and could be more cumbersome than beneficial, especially if the infusion is completed within a shorter timespan. Ensuring the site is assessed after the full infusion allows for an informed evaluation of the site under stable conditions.