Can an LVN/LPN discontinue an IV?

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I was under the impression that it wasn't in the scope of practice in an LPN, but in this Saunders's review book, under IV complications, it says the immediate action is to DC the IV and notify MD. Confused!

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Whenever there has been an RN around, I deferred anything about the IVs to her, except for just assessing the site; before I was certified. And then, I never had to DC one. Since I was the only nurse in a facility on night shift, I guess I would have DC'd one if a doctor ordered it since I had to start one when one was ordered on my shift once. That was no picnic. Interested to hear what others have to say about this.

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There is an IV certification for LPNs, it was part of my nursing program. Aside from that I believe different states have different laws regarding IV maintenance.

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Specializes in LPN.

A LPN can d/c an IV line. But, not a PICC, or Mid Line or anything higher rated than that. If you don't feel you have the experience, or haven't been certified - Don't. Good for you, asking the question before you get into the situation. Good forward thinking.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

here in nc it is actually within an lpn's scope to start and d/c iv's, as well as give push meds, hang piggy backs, and i know i am forgetting something... i am sure it will come to me later.

i know that in some states lpn/lvn scope is not the same as the scope here in nc.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I was under the impression that it wasn't in the scope of practice in an LPN, but in this Saunder's review book, under IV complications, it says the immediate action is to DC the IV and notify MD. Confused!

Ok...hang on folks..for TESTING purposes...what is allowed in your state or facility has nothing to do with what the OP has to answer on the NCLEX.

In the "NCLEX" hospital, you have to let go of what you think is the scope of practice of LPN's vs what they are in an actual hospital or your facility.

In the NCLEX hospital, LPN's cannot perform an assessment or participate in IV therapy.

It is important to note what you are discontinuing the IV for...you did not complete the scenerio in your original post.

I would dig deep in Saunders and be sure to read the rationales for this...there could possibly be three things going on:

1. The choice to discontinue an IV could include an assessment of the IV site, which an LPN cannot do.

2. Whether the IV is currently infusing or not is important. If you are stopping an IV and it needs to be flushed...an LPN cannot perform the flush.

3. Now, if it is an INT? Yes, an LPN can remove an INT...but that is not the same as an active IV. However, the LPN can accept an order from the MD to stop an IV and remove an INT when an infusing is complete...but not if it needs to be flushed prior to d/c.

So, the ENTIRE scenerio is important in order to answer you question correctly...so when you study, you need to read the entire rationale...even if you get a question right.

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Specializes in My goal is to be an Oncology Nurse.....

Hi!

I am starting my LPN program either this summer or fall pending on any other hiccups along the road. lol:D

I was reading the above msgs and now I am a little confused on what we as LPN's can do with shots, and IV's.

Are we allowed to give shots? Are we allowed to start and IV? Are we allowed to provide IV maitence? Are we allowed to disconnect an IV? Do we need to be certified to deal with IV? and does LPN school provide this cert or employer?

Thank You! :rckn:

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Hi!

I am starting my LPN program either this summer or fall pending on any other hiccups along the road. lol:D

I was reading the above msgs and now I am a little confused on what we as LPN's can do with shots, and IV's.

Are we allowed to give shots? Are we allowed to start and IV? Are we allowed to provide IV maitence? Are we allowed to disconnect an IV? Do we need to be certified to deal with IV? and does LPN school provide this cert or employer?

Thank You! :rckn:

These are questions you need to defer to your instructor and will vary by your state and facility.

The OP had a question that has to do with her state boards...which sometimes, is not reality.

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im a student and i have d/c 3 of them. however i was instructed to do so, so Idk if you can decide to on your own

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One of my instructors is on the state board of practical nursing examiners and said that the NCLEX is universal so you will only get questions on it that universal LPN questions. She said IV questions are not on it. In my program we are IV certified so we d/c IV, start them, and hang fluids and piggybacks.

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Specializes in Rehab.

in pa u can , im a lpn student and i have hung many ivs piggybacks and d/c them and capped them off, so im sure u can, but u cant touch a picc line

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Different states have different SOPs....in TX, LVNs could do a LOT of the IV stuff after a certifying class..... here in IL, they aren't allowed to do as much (which is ridiculous). It was confusing in TX, since different hospitals could decide how much to have the LVNs get cert'd in. Some could start and d/c IVs, give IVPBs, but not pushes, others couldn't start them but could give pushes. No LVN could draw labs from central lines while I worked there (17 years).

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