IV in Emergency?

5toedragon · Jan 13, 2008

An Iv Is A Life Jacket. When The Water Is Calm It Seems To Be An Anoyance And Unnecessary. But When The Wind Is Up And The Turbulence Rocks The Boat And The Fear Of Drowning Has A Real Meaning You Know Why They Call It A Life Jacket.

YoUr Iv Is The Same . That Smiling Grandmother Who Calls You Dearie Could Have A Hidden Malestorm Lurking Beneath Her Mild Exterior And You Better Make Sure She Has A Life Jacket.

MalgaBSN · Jan 13, 2008

Never.

And even if you did once-- is that a good reason to ALWAYS have an IV. It is an intervention with risks. Thats like car accidents happen, so will I never drive a car again. People shouldn't practice fear based medicine, instead we should use evidence-based practice. If the patient is not high risk and has no reason to need an IV-- why start one?

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

Precip delivery, no IV access...mom bleeds out, clamped down and couldn't get access. Central line to femoral by vascular surgeon who just happened to be seeing another patient on the floor. Mom had uncomplicated pregnancy, no history of bleed. Who'da thunk? Mom subsequently received 4 units of PRBC's.

RNLaborNurse4U · Jan 13, 2008

In OB, there are other methods of managing an emergency where an IV is needed, if you can't get the IV in fast enough (or at all). In cases of PP hemorrhage, where are IM meds and cytotec (rectally) that can be given, until an IV line is established.

The only time I can see where an IV is necessary in a dire emergency, is when a stat c-section needs done. You need IV access to administer meds needed for a rapid sequence intubation for general anesthesia.

nurseby07 · Jan 13, 2008

two nights ago..pt had a picc (not a power picc) and a rt jugular cvc. No IV. She had a liver lac and spleen lac-middle of the night heart rate jumped to 160, bleeding out of wounds, had to get an emergency ct with contrast but had no way of getting the contrast in...Was frightening.

viennafingers26 · Jan 13, 2008

I agree with the "life-jacket" theory. How hard is it to start an IV? I'd rather take one out that I didn't need than not have one when I needed it. Can we just start them on everyone we let in th door? :twocents: :smilecoffeecup:

Belinda-wales, RN · Jan 14, 2008

Well in fifteen years of practise - I have always managed to get an IV in if needed - Is this just good luck I have had hundreds and I mean hundres of deliveries with no Iv access and if I have needed to in an emergency I have managed to get access.

poppy07 · Jan 14, 2008

I'm not sure I'm understanding this correctly...is it truly a question whether having an IV is needed in an emergency situation? How about needing to intubate, control pressures, rhythms, etc.?

HeyJude · Jan 14, 2008

I'm not sure I'm understanding this correctly...is it truly a question whether having an IV is needed in an emergency situation? How about needing to intubate, control pressures, rhythms, etc.?

The posters are referring to obstetric emergencies.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 14, 2008

I've gotten IV's in quickly, but it delayed treatment as far as fluids, calling for backup, getting blood, adding moniters etc.

There are people who could get a line in easily unless it was during a life or death emergency, then they are hopeless.

I have found that if you are ready for a crisis it is less likely to happen. I totally believe it, and wouldn't want someone who isn't ready for anything working with me.

Knowing all the things that get screwed up, and things that can go wrong, I would be OK personally doing a home birth, but if I go to a hospital I want the lock in.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 14, 2008

Personally, a little bit of adrenaline guarantees I get the IV in the first try!