IV HELP

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How do I start a second primary line-- for instance my primary is LR and now I need to start pitocen at the port closest to the vein without creating air in my lines- which lines need to be clamped if any?? do I fold over one of the lines while attaching??

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Specializes in Vascular Access.

First of all, you must ask yourself... IS LR and Pitocin compatible? If they are, I would get a second pump and hang the pit on its own primary tubing and then hook into the mainline in a side port near the patient's IV catheter. They would both run simultaneously on their own pumps.

But.. you really aren't coming here for advice on this are you? When it comes to patient safety, don't reach out to the world wide web, or google. Your agency MUST have policies in place to answer this question. Read your Infusion manual.

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You don't have protocols for y sites at your job? Or are you a student and trying to figure out a homework assignment?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Um....what? Why would plugging a med into the port closest to the vein put air in your line? What does "Do I fold over one of the lines while attaching" mean? It's early here and I haven't had a full cup of coffee yet, but I'm having a really hard time making sense of your questions!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
You don't have protocols for y sites at your job? Or are you a student and trying to figure out a homework assignment?

According to the poster's other posts, s/he is a new grad, and apparently works in OB.

OP, why are you not asking your preceptor these questions??

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Also, please calm down about air bubbles in veins. Where do they go? Remember your anatomy class... vein to vena cava to right atrium to right ventricle to pulmonary artery to pulmonary capillary bed, right? Then what? Hint: one of the normal functions of the pulmonary capillary bed, to strain out little clots that we all have all the time.

That little bubble will go to the capillary and be absorbed into the alveolus, and it's gone. No, there's no way it'll cause a stroke unless there's an atrial or ventricular septal defect, and only then if there's higher pressures in the right heart than the left to push it over to the arterial circulation.

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apologies to all for my lack of clarity on this of course I keep my patients safe. thanks for the input y'all!

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