Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Metabolic/Inflammatory/Tumors Practice Exam

During an infusion of infliximab, what is the appropriate nursing intervention when a patient experiences headache and chills?

1. Administer Solu-Medrol® solution

2. Use subcutaneous administration instead

3. Slow the infusion rate

4. Call the Rapid Response Team

The correct answer is: Slow the infusion rate

When a patient experiences headache and chills during an infusion of infliximab, slowing the infusion rate is the appropriate nursing intervention. This response is significant because infusion reactions can occur with immunosuppressive therapies like infliximab, and symptoms such as headache and chills may indicate an infusion-related reaction. By slowing the infusion rate, the healthcare provider can often alleviate these symptoms and allow the patient to better tolerate the medication. Adjusting the infusion rate may help minimize discomfort and can provide the patient with an opportunity to recover from mild reactions before continuing with the treatment, demonstrating a careful, patient-centered approach to managing infusion-related side effects. It's also a standard protocol to manage infusion reactions, ensuring patient safety while still administering necessary treatment. Other options might not be the best first response in this scenario. For instance, administering Solu-Medrol® can be appropriate for more severe reactions but isn't typically the immediate next step for mild symptoms. Subcutaneous administration is not an alternative method for infliximab that would provide immediate benefits during an infusion-related event, and calling a Rapid Response Team is reserved for more critical situations where the patient shows signs of severe distress or life-threatening reactions.