Hanging primary IV and secondary IVPB

[karol07]

1) In what situation could a primary line of 0.9% Normal Saline back up into a secondary antibiotic piggyback?

2) If the primary and secondary bags are hung at the same level, would either infuse on a pump?

[AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP]

What do you think? I'm doing this now too.

[CuriousMe]

1) In what situation could a primary line of 0.9% Normal Saline back up into a secondary antibiotic piggyback?

2) If the primary and secondary bags are hung at the same level, would either infuse on a pump?

Sounds like homework questions....what did you come up with?

[agldragonRN]

1) in what situation could a primary line of 0.9% normal saline back up into a secondary antibiotic piggyback?

when you lower the iv piggyback (if by gravity) than the primary iv(0.9% ns) with all clamps open then the normal saline backs up to the iv piggyback. this is called "back flushing" and is used to get rid of bubbles in the secondary line or when priming the secondary line. but always make sure your primary med and secondary med are compatible.

2) if the primary and secondary bags are hung at the same level, would either infuse on a pump?

if pump is used then it does not matter which one is higher/lower because you program the pump which one to infuse. if the infusion is by gravity, then you have to lower your primary bag in order for the secondary bag to infuse and the primary bag will resume automatically when the piggyback is done.

hope that helps. you can go to youtube and watch videos of how to prime/start primary line and secondary line with pump or by gravity.

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

Sounds like homework questions....what did you come up with?

Mmmmhmmm. Reminded me of another poster, only the emoticon was changed.

But....I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt since this is apparently your first post here. When asking stuff like this, you'll get more responses if you offer up your answer w/ rationale first. Even if it's "I know XYZ happen when ABC is done, but I have no idea why and that's where I'm stuck!" :)