Help

The patient has one IV line and the IVPB is incompatible with the continuous IV medication, which cannot be stopped for the duration of the IVPB. What needs to be done? What if the patient was a difficult IV start?

So what do YOU think needs to be done? How can you solve the issue of a difficult IV start especially since sites do need to be changed routinely to prevent phlebitis? What resources in the hospital are there for you to consult with?

What is the IV fluid, can it be switched to a compatible IV fluid for all medication? can the medication be switched? Maybe a central line if this is going to be long term? Always try, just because someone is a difficult stick does not mean you shouldn't try

As others have hinted, what is ideal for longer term meds? How are IV antibiotics given in the home setting--PIV or....?

Also, is there a reason the fluid can't be paused? If the lone PIV is used for giving 2% NaCl to a neuro pt, no that can't be stopped. Now if the med was compatible with the IVF and you would piggyback it, there's no reason you can't pause it to give an incompatible med.

I've had a floor pt receiving Abelcet which is incompatible with NS, and they only had a single lumen PICC. Not a double lumen one. Her IVF was just NS to prevent dehydration, as her PO intake was poor. I always stopped the NS, flushed the single lumen PICC with D5W, gave the med, and flushed the one lumen with more D5W before resuming the NS. I don'the care for those single lumen PICCs. I like an extra lumen or two.