CPNE sim lab question

[Firemedic7]

Hi Guys-

I am waiting on my CPNE date. I got my application accepted in January. I am going through everything and I bought the skills kit. I have a question about the IV med station. Is there already a secondary line hanging and you change it with your med or do you have to initiate the piggyback? I have a hard time knowing how to clear the line of bubbles on my secondary without losing meds. Any help is appreciated

Thanks

God Bless:D

[gradyrn2b08]

It is my understanding that there is a secondary hanging. It is our job to go in remove the old and replace with the new. after that we set the drop factor which we would calculate at the beggining of that station. I could be wrong, lets see what everyone else says.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Hi Guys-

I have a hard time knowing how to clear the line of bubbles on my secondary without losing meds. Any help is appreciated

Thanks

God Bless:D

To prime your secondary line, you lower the bag slowly until it is at a level below your primary bag. This gives you a back flush. Just make sure that you don't let too much of the fluid from the primary bag flow back into your secondary one. You just need enough back flush to clear your secondary line of air. This is a standard of practice, and is universal.

As for the secondary set up, I did the CPNE several years ago, so I'll let someone who is more current answer that one for you.

Good luck!

[gradyrn2b08]

To prime your secondary line, you lower the bag slowly until it is at a level below your primary bag. This gives you a back flush. Just make sure that you don't let too much of the fluid from the primary bag flow back into your secondary one. You just need enough back flush to clear your secondary line of air. This is a standard of practice, and is universal.

As for the secondary set up, I did the CPNE several years ago, so I'll let someone who is more current answer that one for you.

Good luck!

Do we keep the primary bag locked when lowering it. Once lower do we then open it slowly to start counting the drops. During this time is the secondary bag remain open??

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Do we keep the primary bag locked when lowering it. Once lower do we then open it slowly to start counting the drops. During this time is the secondary bag remain open??

Yes, keep the primary bag locked until you are ready to begin counting your drops. You'll reclamp the secondary bag once the secondary line is primed. Once you find your correct drip rate in the primary line, unclamp the secondary one. This will help prevent wasting the med. Recheck your drip rate, to make sure it hasn't changed once the secondary line is opened.

This is only if you aren't using a pump. If you are giving the med at the bedside with a pump, you don't have to reclamp the secondary line.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

[YOUTUBE]

[/YOUTUBE]

Here is an instructional video for secondary line set-up.