Is IV admnistration an independent function?

[Dervid Jungco]

Can a nurse initiate IV therapy on their own once they assesed that the patient is starting to undergo shock due to hemorrhagic fever ? or should we wait for doctors order before doing so?

[jmgrn65, RN]

good question, I personally would but then make sure I got an order for it. But I know most of our doctors well enough and they trust me.

I would say do it especially if it would be a life saving measure.

I don't think i really answered your question did I?

[Dervid Jungco]

hehehe yes... But if you need an order before initiating it then i am concluding it is a dependent function?

I am making an NCP and creating my own intervention, I am planning to put

"Anticipate IV Fluid therapy by preparing route for IV transfusion"

If that function is independent, I think that intervention is unecessary :)

thanks a lot for your insight... still waiting for other answers though.

[pricklypear]

Technically, no. IV fluids are medications, and require a Dr's order to initiate.

[Dervid Jungco]

Thank you very much

[MIA-RN1, RN]

Don't most hospitals have a protocol for starting an IV for access when one is admitted?

[elkpark]

I've never worked anywhere where nurses could start an IV without a Dr's order (or some approved protocol or standing orders). It's an invasive procedure, and IV fluids are considered meds.

[mandana]

Well, as I understand it you can get IV access independently, but the second you put anything in the line you need an order. It sounds like your intervention is correctly stated - you could obtain IV access, even bring fluid to bedside, then get your order before initiating.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hemorrhagic fever is not normally seen in the US, and if you are in most places where it does occur, you may be the only provider there. And they are going to need much more to save them than IV fluids.

Not sure if you are doing a care plan specifically for that disease or if you are in the US.

[Simba&NalasMom, LPN]

You would always have to have an order since it's a med being administered.

I've never worked in an ER or similar place, but I would imagine that places like that would have standing orders that go along with their IV protocol.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

This is one of those situations where reality deviates from the textbook response in actual practice. As several have already said, you insert the IV (usually a saline lock) and then get the order. However, I would also like to point out, that by the time the patient is looking bad enough to possibly be in shock, the doctor should have been notified and that would have been the time to inquire about putting an IV access in. Most docs won't get upset at doing this procedure independently (unless it takes you 5 sticks and the patient is left all bruised up). It's easily remedied by removing it.

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

"By the Book" answer: Get the order before EITHER starting the IV or running the fluids.

Again - in the real world - it can and does differ based on protocol and policy.