dknunges

Latest Activity

1. gloves to spike a bag

   dknunges replied to vickynurse's topic in Infusion

   I have been a IV nurse (CRNI) for > 17 years and have never heard of such a thing. It certainly is not supported by INS Standards of Practice.

2. Starting IVs on old sick people

   dknunges replied to zacarias's topic in Infusion

   A couple of tricks I have learned from starting IV's on people with fragile veins, no SQ tissue or rolling veins: Instead of using a tourniquet, I use a blood pressure cuff pump up to 20 below diastolic pressure. This makes for an even distribution ...

3. KVO rate

   dknunges replied to kathys76's topic in Infusion

   According to INS' latest Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice Jan/Feb 2006 Standard 9. Physicians or Authorized prescribers order and initiation of therapy. * 9.6 Prior to initiation of therapy, a Keep Vein Open (KVO) order shall contain a specifi...

4. Portocath Hell

   dknunges replied to elena15's topic in Infusion

   Elena 15 Don't forget the INS Standards Jan/Feb 2006. Standard 45 H under Practice Criteria (pp S47-S48)

5. LPN's -picc

   dknunges replied to jacobsmom's topic in Infusion

   I agree, this should be determined by what LPN's are allowed to do by the State Board of Nurisng. I would not let the RN bully you into doing something that it outside your allowed scope of practice because it could cause you to loose your license.

6. IV policies

   dknunges replied to RN8's topic in Infusion

   Pre-filled NS syringes are intend for single patient/single use not multiple use on a singles patient. She might think she is saving money and she may well be until the patient gets a Catheter related blood stream infection which in turn could cost $...

7. IV policies

   dknunges replied to RN8's topic in Infusion

   The Intravenous Nurses Society publishes the Standards of Practice of IV therapy. These set the bar for all IV therapy practice. A good place to start! You can order from the web site: http://www.ins1.org

8. Nursing school not teaching IVs

   dknunges replied to 19Monica79's topic in Infusion

   If the hospital you are working for a BD customers using their IV catheters, they offer a wide variety of IV classes for beginners (free CEU's too). They are from 2-8 hrs and on several topics. You will not be certified but better qualified to start ...

9. IV precipitation

   dknunges replied to jacjon's topic in Infusion

   There are many, many medications out there that are incompatible with other meds, even Heparin. It is best practice to always flush with Saline first before giving any med, and then again afterwards followed by Heparin (if this is your policy). This...

10. You might be in the medical field if....

    dknunges replied to bethin's topic in Humor

    1. Eating popcorn ot of a emesis basin or clean bedpan is perfectly normal 2. You baste your Thanksgiving Turkey with a Toomey syringe 3. You avoid unhealthy looking shoppers in the mall for fear that they will drop near you and you'll have to perf...

11. PICC Policies

    dknunges replied to kathyann's topic in Infusion

    If no one is willing to share you can obtain Infusion Therapy Policy and Procedures, published by INS (Intravenous Nurses Society) as well as Standard of Practice. Both are good for using as guidelines when writing institution P&P. Go to ins1.org...

12. Mediport Protocols

    dknunges replied to klnlsu's topic in Infusion

    The Intravenous Nurses Society (INS) has Standards of Care and Policy and Procedures specifically for IV therapy including Ports that you can use as guideline when writing protocals. You can purchase them on the website. http://www.ins1.org

13. Analgesia with IV Start

    dknunges replied to ogrern2002's topic in Infusion

    According to INS (Intravenous Nurses Society) local anesthesia should not be used routinely. As far as a policy for infusion therapy to use as a guideline in your institution INS have published Policy and Procedures for Infusion Therapy. You can purc...

14. use of oral syinges to administer oral meds

    dknunges replied to vague1's topic in Safety

    Hopefully this will answer you question vague1. According to ISMP (Institute of Safe Medication Practices) and FDA the push for use of oral syringes to administer liquid oral medication is to prevent inadvertant choking on tip caps and giving oral me...

15. Current ages

    dknunges replied to Medic2005's topic in General Nursing

    I agree with Jessica, you are only as old as you feel. I think that if this is what you want to do, then go for it. When I was in school the oldest in my class was 69.....She graduated and passed boards and went to work in Well Baby Nursery. She sa...