Can you use O.9NS on a mainline and dopamine on a piggyback

[ab1984]

I was at work and had a pt getting NS last night and then had a order for dopamine so i used the piggyback port for it to be able to give bolus that were ordered in between the dopamine. The NS was clamped and hanged lower then the dopamine. The next shift came on and was throwing a fit about the dopamine not being on its own primary line. Now mind you this pt was a hard stick and only had one IV site. She said this could cause the pt to get a bolus dose of the dopamine. Is what she said right, is not 5-10ml/hr just that regardless. If anyone can find information on this that would be great! Thanks.

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

As you can see there are no absolutes. Follow your facility protocol and according to pt condition/hx. It all depends. As in the example above if the pt was in heart failure , which many of our pts are , then having fluid running more than kvo would not be contraindicated. Our fluid riders usually only go at 10-20 mls an hour. Also if dopa is going thru piv, which in itself is contraindicated but we all know it happens , then having high rates of flow will cause the iv to go bad faster...depending on the vein , the person , the rate of infusions. Op it is all highly variable so ask your resource person and look up the policy at your facility. And good luck !

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

Never piggy back pressors. They always go through their own line on their own channel/pump. But you're right that you give fluids before giving dopamine. Gotta have fluid in the tank for it to work!

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

You can however have the NS line connected to a port on, lets say, the pt's IJ, and then have the dopamine (in its own line and on its own pump) connected down to the y-site of the NS line nearest to the patient. You can do this with compatible pressors, sedatives, etc. this way you can have 4+ drips ping into a quad lumen line and all dosages are accurate.