IV infusion

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 16, 2016

There are many drug websites and apps that can help with determining compatibility. Micromedex, Lexicomp, drug guides. These are typically going to be much faster than trying to page through books for multiple drugs, plus they'll also be more likely to be updated in a timely manner. By the time a book goes to print and is available for purchase, there's probably already been many new drugs approved.

As for calculating infusion times and rates, it is truly nothing more than basic algebra. It doesn't require the hospital's IV pumps at all; in fact, every nurse should know how to calculate infusion rates in order to check what the machine is saying is the right rate.

Infusion time is determining how long an amount of fluid will run at a certain rate. If you have a 1L bag of NS running at 125mL per hour, how long will it take to infuse? In setting this up like an algebra equation, X = 1000ml divided by 125ml/hr, which will then calculate out the number of hours that liter of fluid will last. This one is partially done for you, so what answer do you get?

Infusion rate is similar, only you will have the volume to be infused and the length of time it should be infused over. If you are giving Ancef 1g in 20mL SWFI over 30 minutes, what rate would you need to set the pump for? This is a pretty basic question, so why not use this one for practice of the whole problem?

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

If you have access to Lexi-comp at the hospital, use that. I use it daily for all my meds (not just IV). As a student did have access to it. Check that out.

sara2016 · Aug 17, 2016

Thank you RoseQueen,

I get the rates and calculations, but some ivs are not compatible at all to infuse at the same time, some are compatible if you choose different sites, or flush before or after.... different rates.... Thank you for your tips about finding the information faster.

sara2016 · Aug 17, 2016

Thank you, I will definitely check that out.

Asystole RN · Aug 17, 2016

IV medications can be daunting but when you are working on a floor you will give the same 5 medications constantly, 10 more frequently and maybe another 10 regularly. You first will become very familiar with where in the book they are located and then you will simply learn what most of their compatibilities are.

I personally used two different digital infusion drug books on my phone, stick with well-known book titles. Makes looking up multiple medications easier and faster.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 17, 2016

Ah. Sorry, thought you were referring to using IV pumps to calculate rates when you said hospital machines. But yes, apps that allow for entering multiple drugs will be a time saver.

Stella_Blue · Aug 17, 2016

We use Microdermex at my job

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

I just Googled "IV compatibility" and got several apps, pdf files, and sites.

My hospital has Lexicomp and Micromedex linked from out eMAR. You click on IV compatibility, type in the list of drugs, and have instant compatibility info for each pair within that list.

Years ago all of our medical rooms had a big chart with drugs across the top and down the left -- you find drug #1 on one list, drug #2 on the other, see where they intersect and will tell you if it's compatible, not, insufficient info, etc. You could ask the hospital pharmacist about getting a printout of that kind of tool.

sara2016 · Aug 17, 2016

Thank you.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Aug 19, 2016

It shouldn't take but a few minutes to look up compatibilities in a drug guide (Davis's being the gold standard, imo).

Generally speaking, antibiotics have limited compatibilities, particularly with one another, which isn't a big deal since it's generally preferable not to run antibiotics simultaneously so that, in the event of a reaction, you know to what the patient is reacting.

smf0903 · Aug 19, 2016

It shouldn't take but a few minutes to look up compatibilities in a drug guide (Davis's being the gold standard, imo).
Generally speaking, antibiotics have limited compatibilities, particularly with one another, which isn't a big deal since it's generally preferable not to run antibiotics simultaneously so that, in the event of a reaction, you know to what the patient is reacting.

I agree. I love my Davis guide! The drug guides can be overwhelming when you first start BUT (as with anything) the more you use it the easier/quicker it becomes. We have Lexicomp on our computers and also IV books in the med room, but I've used my own drug guide enough that I can quickly find what I need. Admittedly I am a book-in-hand kinda gal...I work nights and we have no pharmacy there after 21:00 and then there are those lovely nights when our computer systems are down for updates and we don't have access to online sources.