If a nurse is administering IV chemotherapy and the IV line leaks, who is responsible for containing the spill?

• A. Pharmacy
• B. Nursing
• C. Nursing assistants
• D. Housekeeping

Answer: (B)

When a hazardous drug spill occurs in the patient care area, the person who is closest and trained to respond quickly is responsible for containing it. The nurse is the first responder in this situation, so they initiate the spill protocol right away. This means donning the appropriate PPE, using the spill kit to contain and isolate the spill, and preventing further exposure or spread of contamination. After containment, the nurse follows institutional procedures for disposal and decontamination, often involving environmental services or a hazardous-drug team as needed.

Pharmacy’s role is to provide drug information and guidance, not to lead the immediate containment of a spill in the clinical area. Housekeeping may handle cleaning after proper decontamination has occurred, but they are not the ones who initiate or lead the hazardous spill response. Nursing assistants assist with patient care but are not typically the primary responders for hazardous-drug spills.