I forgot to clamp the peripheral IV site!!!

Published

Hey I am a nursing student. I was giving IV push drugs and after I flushed the line I think I forgot to clamp the IV. The patient had no continuous IV fluids going or anything. I am hoping someone noticed because i gave this med at 6pm and the night shift nurses start at 7pm, so I think they might notice. Is something bad going to happen to my patient. I am so scared I put my patient in danger. Do you think they could kick me out the program for this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
Hey I am a nursing student. I was giving IV push drugs and after I flushed the line I think I forgot to clamp the IV. The patient had no continuous IV fluids going or anything. I am hoping someone noticed because i gave this med at 6pm and the night shift nurses start at 7pm, so I think they might notice. Is something bad going to happen to my patient. I am so scared I put my patient in danger. Do you think they could kick me out the program for this?

This is nothing to freak out about. The worse that can happen is that blood can back up into the pigtail and clot the line. I have forgotten to clamp the pigtail too many times to count and nothing bad has ever happened. You will not be kicked out of your program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.

Nothing will happen to the patient. Only thing that will happen is MAYBE, just maybe, blood will seep back into the line and clog it.

How's your experience so far? You like it, hate it, can't wait for the real world? :D Enlighten us.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seriously, don't worry about this. Students make mistakes. It's expected. This is a mistake seasoned RNs have made.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Probably about 80% of the time I do my assessment on a patient, the IV isn't clamped. Couldn't tell you if it was the nurse before me, someone else, or just an accident. Can't say I've ever really bothered to care. I just flush it, clamp it, and go about my night.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am going to be the fly in the ointment - this would not only be a med error if you infused all the fluids without an order, but could also be potentially dangerous in a fluid-restricted patient. Having been in heart failure, I can tell you firsthand that fluids are not always benign or no big deal.

With that said, you are a student. Were you really giving meds unsupervised?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am going to be the fly in the ointment - this would not only be a med error if you infused all the fluids without an order, but could also be potentially dangerous in a fluid-restricted patient. Having been in heart failure, I can tell you firsthand that fluids are not always benign or no big deal.

With that said, you are a student. Were you really giving meds unsupervised?

Am I missing something in OPs post? What fluids are you referring to? As I read it, the patient had no fluids ordered at the time. Just an IVP with a flush. What am I missing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Am I missing something in OPs post? What fluids are you referring to? As I read it, the patient had no fluids ordered at the time. Just an IVP with a flush. What am I missing?

I misread it to say the patient had continuous fluids going. My mistake!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I misread it to say the patient had continuous fluids going. My mistake!

Lol Now THAT could potentially be bad. Now I'm picturing you reading everyone else's comments, thinking she ran tons of fluids, horrified that everyone is saying, eh, no biggie LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion