Excelsior students... IV push... need advis!

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Is there anyone else having difficulty with the IV push?

I have all the steps/CE's down... but when it comes to 2 minutes or greater for pushing the meds.... I go too fast!

Help!! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Adult Float Pool.

i'm not quite there yet, but what i've read is just break it down. if you have 2 minutes and push 2 ml, go for every 15 seconds and push 0.25 ml. it's gonna take some practice, just slow down, and breathe...you can do this! and please, if someone has a better way to think about it, let me know too, cause i think about this one a lot! best of luck!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Are you pushing straight on the syringe, or are you doing the "twist" method? Practice with a watch with second hand, and make yourself go slow.

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This is funny! I finally got the 2 ml's in 2 minutes, but can't do 2 ml in 1 minute. I go too slow!! And I think it's TOO SLOW to be passing!

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I believe the twist method is best and safer for passing.

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Specializes in wound care, sub-acute, community nursing.

what is the twist method???:confused:

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The Twist method: remove the cap to the syringe, hold the syringe by the base, and at the end of the syringe "check for patency first by pulling the syringe back and fourth" hold the end of the syringe and twist and slight push, twist and slight push, twist and slight push, while looking at your watch. I hope this makes since.

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Specializes in Medical surgical.

Twist like a screwdriver, it works, you have better control then pushing, remember that the ce will get up for this and check you every step of the way so practice is the key, it works

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Is there anyone else having difficulty with the IV push?

I have all the steps/CE's down... but when it comes to 2 minutes or greater for pushing the meds.... I go too fast!

Help!! :uhoh3:

This may sound crazy...but: Take your watch off (second-hand watch) and twist like you have just set the time. That continous clock-wise twist. While you're practicing on your watch, look at the second hand for fifteen seconds (to get in the habit of watching-as you will definitely want to do this during your lab sim) See how you only twist so far, then start over? Now prime a syringe, and try twisting the exact same way, imagining the bottom portion of the plunger is that little winder on the side of your watch...with only the slightest bit of pressure.

I hope that made sense.

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This may sound crazy...but: Take your watch off (second-hand watch) and twist like you have just set the time. That continous clock-wise twist. While you're practicing on your watch, look at the second hand for fifteen seconds (to get in the habit of watching-as you will definitely want to do this during your lab sim) See how you only twist so far, then start over? Now prime a syringe, and try twisting the exact same way, imagining the bottom portion of the plunger is that little winder on the side of your watch...with only the slightest bit of pressure.

I hope that made sense.

This is an interesting way to put it!

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I do half twists!! http://www.youtube.com/user/edowns88?feature=mhw4#p/a/u/0/HXrjhdlffpk

Sometimes I struggle with getting the plunger to move in the beginning! I am praying for non-stick syringes!!

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Specializes in Medical surgical.

Slow and steady. :yeah: Loosen those syringes first before you pull up anything, screwdriver method works everytime, Good luck:heartbeat

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