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Originally posted by cactus wrenThat`s what I was taught,too...that`s why you`re supposed to start low, and work up...What was wrong with other arm?? I would of just started a new iv there...would of left SL in, just"in case"
The pt is a hard stick and the RN taking care of her didn't want to have to restick her if it really wasn't necessary. Eventually, one of the nurses was able to get an IV site in the opposite arm but it went bad after about an hour. My vote is for a midline or a PICC. She is just one day post-op after major bowel surgery so she will be there for a few days.
Thanks for all the postings. I know now there are others who are in agreement with me.
I think I found a good site for you to print off stuff. It's a Baxter site...and it also can be used for CEUs. The courses are free and you can print off the certificate immediately.
http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_therapies/education/index.html
Just click where it says "click here"...and then scroll down until you see..Essentials of IV Therapy
An Online Home Study Continuing Education
Course for Nursing and Pharmacy Professionals
Edited to say: Totally Free! Be ready to print off your certificate, because if you close the page before you print it off..you have to take the test all over again to get back to the certificate page. The only thing you have to type in, is your name as to how you wish it to be on the certificate. At least that is how I remember it. Each course counts for about 1.5 CEUs...I think. For those of you in Texas...I used this to renew my Texas license with no problems.
deespoohbear
992 Posts
We were having a discussion at work this evening about IV sites and infiltration. I seemed to be the only one of this opinion....
The patient had 2 IV sites. One was on the anterior forearm just above the wrist and was saline locked. The other site was up the arm near the antecubital space and had running IV fluids. The site near the AC space infiltrated significantly. D/C with cannula intact. The nurse taking care of this patient is a fairly new RN and asked me if she could use the saline lock site for running IV fluids. I said no. I always thought that if an IV site goes bad (and especially infiltrates) that any vein distal to the site couldn't be used. All the other nurses thought I was crazy. I could have swore that somewhere along my schooling or nursing career I was taught that. Can anyone help me out on this? Do I need to go eat a helping of humble pie for my co-workers? Thanks for any help.