Question about infusion rate?

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

I'm new in the med-surg unit. The nurses asked me to set up the IV pump to infuse prefilled syringes. I am confused as to what to set the rates at. Each nurse tells me something different. (yes, I know I can IV push the first two questions) I do the math, but I do not come up with what they want me to set the rate at.

1) Prefilled syringe 10 ml to infuse over one minute. (I can't remember the med on this one) What is the rate set at?

2) Pepsid 20mg in prefilled syringe of 10 ml, infuse over 2 minutes. Rate?

3) Prefilled syringe 30 ml, infuse over 30 minutes. Rate?

Thanks for your help

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Well I am glad you returned to the profession MsTaylor, I am sure some things have changed since you left, but before long it will be a peice of cake.

Specializes in Med/Surg.
I just dont see why you wouldn't "push" the meds which are to infuse over 1 minute or two minutes. It seems silly? Am I missing something here?

I see RNs do this all the time on my unit, especially with Pepcid. And the most common reason they give: "I'm way too busy and have more important things to do than stand at the bedside for 2 minutes pushing a med that could just as easily be ran through the pump as an IVPB".

So....is it that easy to load the pump? and change the tubing etc? I would think it would be just as easy/ quick to push the drug than go thru the hassle of hooking it up?

Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

Wow I feel really stupid, the only pre-filled syringes we put on our pumps are the 30ml's of Morphine and Dilaudid for PCA's lol learn something new every day!

Specializes in Med/Surg.
So....is it that easy to load the pump? and change the tubing etc? I would think it would be just as easy/ quick to push the drug than go thru the hassle of hooking it up?

Um, they don't have to change any tubing. In fact, no tubing is involved. The Pepcid comes in a prefilled syringe, so they just screw the syringe onto the clave of the cassette(part of the primary tubing) & where the secondary tubing would've been screwed on, then program the pump for the correct rate, and presto! An IV push med is now running like an IVPB.

Funny thing is that the time it takes to do all this, they could've just pushed the darn med through.

Um, they don't have to change any tubing. In fact, no tubing is involved. The Pepcid comes in a prefilled syringe, so they just screw the syringe onto the clave of the cassette(part of the primary tubing) & where the secondary tubing would've been screwed on, then program the pump for the correct rate, and presto! An IV push med is now running like an IVPB.

Funny thing is that the time it takes to do all this, they could've just pushed the darn med through.

But don't you have a primary running to do this?

What type of meds must be given like this (I know PCAs).

Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Vascular, Plastics.
But don't you have a primary running to do this?

What type of meds must be given like this (I know PCAs).

Michelle,

Read some of my previous posts. I talk about a hospital that I used to work at where we would give Pre-filled drugs through a Bard Pump.... ect.

Check it out, it was interesting

Specializes in Med/Surg.
But don't you have a primary running to do this? What type of meds must be given like this (I know PCAs).

Yes, there is a primary line already going when the IV Pepcid, for example, is "hung" as an IVPB. I don't think the RNs(on my unit) would do it if this weren't the case, as it really wouldn't make sense then & would take even more time than just pushing the med themselves.

Anytime you get conflicting info from several nurses then you should go to the charge nurse or nurse manager, whoever the supervisor is, explain the situation, and do what she advises you to do. Conflicting info causes you to waste time worrying over what is right rather than getting the task done. It sounds as if your unit needs an inservice on this topic before someone makes a serious mistake.

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