[Softballmama]

Never push IV Dilaudid or Phenergan quickly - also, make sure you dilute them or give them slowly through a running, compatible IV solution.

Don't give IV Dilantin through an IV site in the back of a hand - if you need to, restart the IV in a site with a bigger vein - oh, and use the appropriate filter!

Always do frequent IV site checks if a patient is getting IV Dopamine through a peripheral line.

If at all possible, establish an IV line before giving SL nitroglycerine - you can then be prepared if the patient's BP responds too well to the med.

[Emmanuel Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Softballmama

Never push IV Dilaudid or Phenergan quickly - also, make sure you dilute them or give them slowly through a running, compatible IV solution.

In the case of phenergan, there's no "or" about it. Please dilute and give slooooowly (or better yet, hang as an IVPB). Giving through a running IVF does not dilute it enough to prevent injury. I developed a severe phlebitis as proof of this...

[P_RN]

No fair!!!!! LPN vs RN vs LPN vs RN.

This is No-Nos and this is a BIG no no. No fighting, tussling, bonking on the head or such. Just Nursing no-nos please.

[Softballmama]

Thanks for catching that, EG, you're correct - I should have put an "and" there and not an "or."

[Blenda]

I have to disagree with your comment that LPN's learn the exact same thing in school as RNs. In the state that I work in, AA trained RN's have 2 years of college and BSN's have 4 years of college, while LPN's have 1 year of college.

[megananne7]

Originally Posted by Blenda

I have to disagree with your comment that LPN's learn the exact same thing in school as RNs. In the state that I work in, AA trained RN's have 2 years of college and BSN's have 4 years of college, while LPN's have 1 year of college.

That is the same here, but the "basics" are taught to LPNs... like.. Taking a BP before giving an HTN med ... or taking an apical before giving Dig is taught.

RN year is basically just more in depth. Like we learned ABGs and such my LPN year, and RN year we learned about ABGs but focused more on determing if they were compensated/uncompensated, etc.

[Elvish]

Originally Posted by Quickbeam

1. Never sign off on a narcotic waste that you did not see with your own eyes. Classic addicted nurse trick and then you get dragged into the problem. As a new grad, my refusal to sign off on a waste I had not seen led to the uncovering of a massive addicted nurse problem.

I am very very anal about this both in wasting and witnessing. I want someone to watch ME waste something so there's no question later, as well as watch the waster when the shoe's on the other foot. Covers both me and them.

[Cat84]

Never believe "the patient is always like that." or "that is normal for that pt." If it is abnormal you had better check and re-check and don't buy into what anyone else says about "normal"

Another one learned from a peer in nursing school. Brown syringes are for ORAL meds. She pushed oral nystatin IV and the pt died. CAT

[elizabells]

Originally Posted by Arwen_U

I am very very anal about this both in wasting and witnessing. I want someone to watch ME waste something so there's no question later, as well as watch the waster when the shoe's on the other foot. Covers both me and them.

Yes, yes, YES. If a nurse witnesses me in the Pyxis and says "it's okay, I trust you" I will follow her back to her pod like a puppy if I have to, to get her to witness the actual waste. I've already been called into the NM's office for giving "too many" PRNs (uh, they were ordered, and the pt was on ECMO, so...) to screw around with my license.

[Marvie]

That one is ALWAYS a NEVER IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS action.

Originally Posted by muhaha

Giving Potassum directly into an IV - instant cardiac arrest...not good!