Help with IV machines--first job!

[Ford85]

Hello all,

Like some others on this forum, I am a new grad, just started my first job on a med-surg floor this week and am overwhelmed. Right now my biggest concern is the IV machine, as I have been away from the clinical setting since graduation more than a year ago and seem to have forgotten everything!

I'm working on skills for priming and installing the IV. My questions are about the machine itself, things I can't find online or in the textbooks, such as:

1 ) When it beeps, I know to look for occlusion if that's what the machine says, or if it's empty. If it is empty, do you automatically turn the pump to "off" position and disconnect the patient from the IV? (Unless the order calls for setting up a new bag).

1a) To disconnect the patient, do you just unhook the tubing and put the blue cap and the orange cap on? Do you flush? Is there a clamp on the patient you are also supposed to slip to "close"?

2 ) If an ambulatory patient wishes to get up and walk to the bathroom or down the hall, can they just unplug the machine and walk with it? I see that often, but is that generally okay, or only for patients on NS?

3 ) I read that you should flush at the beginning of every shift. Is this also the case if patient is getting only NS? Do you flush after every medication administration, such as abx given piggyback?

These are just a few of my questions. My preceptor is answering some but I'd love input from others! Thanks for any help!

[MendedHeart]

Hello all,

Like some others on this forum, I am a new grad, just started my first job on a med-surg floor this week and am overwhelmed. Right now my biggest concern is the IV machine, as I have been away from the clinical setting since graduation more than a year ago and seem to have forgotten everything!

I'm working on skills for priming and installing the IV. My questions are about the machine itself, things I can't find online or in the textbooks, such as:

1 ) When it beeps, I know to look for occlusion if that's what the machine says, or if it's empty. If it is empty, do you automatically turn the pump to "off" position and disconnect the patient from the IV? (Unless the order calls for setting up a new bag).

1a) To disconnect the patient, do you just unhook the tubing and put the blue cap and the orange cap on? Do you flush? Is there a clamp on the patient you are also supposed to slip to "close"?

2 ) If an ambulatory patient wishes to get up and walk to the bathroom or down the hall, can they just unplug the machine and walk with it? I see that often, but is that generally okay, or only for patients on NS?

3 ) I read that you should flush at the beginning of every shift. Is this also the case if patient is getting only NS? Do you flush after every medication administration, such as abx given piggyback?

These are just a few of my questions. My preceptor is answering some but I'd love input from others! Thanks for any help!

1. Like you said, if its a continuous infusion, no need to turn pump off, just stop it, change out bag, clear pump, add volume and start.

1a. Yes, you blue cap line, no need to flush if youve had fluids like NS or LR running, only flush behind meds

2. Depends on patient, thats up to the nurse to assess.

3. Flush after all meds except piggybacks with Maintainence fluid like NS that automatically run after the secondary is done.

We flush q8 regardless.

[Ford85]

Thank you, MendedHeart. I am still trying to piece things together and this is very helpful.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Your organization MUST provide you with training on any type of equipment you are expected to use. They should also have reference manuals. This is an absolute requirement. Talk to your manager &/or clinical educator to schedule training & get access to the how-to materials.

Most states Nurse Practice Acts consider it 'unprofessional behavior' to accept an assignment or task for which you have not been trained/prepared - but you have the professional responsibility to ask for assistance when it is needed. If you cause harm to a patient because you didn't know how to use the equipment.... it's YOUR error.