IV infusion volume rate on Pump

[LStar]

Hi everyone I have a quick question. If someone is receiving Dextrose 10% with Potassium 75ml/hr continously and the amount in the bag is 1000ml, would you set the volume to be infused on the pump at 1000 or make it 900ml. I asked this because I remember a clinical instructor saying put in a 100ml less thats on the bag I guess so it won't run dry. And another question is that the volume to be infused the 1000ml on the bag or does calculation needs to be done instead. Just asking because I haven't worked with Ivs in a while, and might have one at work. Thank you for any advice and help.:)

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Our policy was to set the pump for 950.

True, the pump won't deliver air to the patient, but with the pumps we have, once air gets in to the top of the tubing, you have to reprime the whole set (the pumps we had before these kind, the tubing had "pillows" which allowed you to "push" the air back up in to the bag easily, but that's not an option anymore). You have to detach it from the patient to reprime it, and you never want to open up the set if you don't have to. Setting the pump for slightly under the volume is an easy way to make sure this doesn't happen.

Of course, it would be IDEAL to be able to check all of your IV's every hour, but let's be honest....nothing in nursing is ideal. Better to play it safe and have another back up, since there is no downside to doing so.

I don't know re other countries nursing policies, but in Aust we MUST check our IVs every hour. We also must record in the fluid balance chart the rate the pump is going at. It has to be done every hour, and is part of our nursing requirements. It's like checking urine output every hour and recording it - it just has to be done.

I don't know re all different types of pumps, but I find (as an agency nurse) it's always best to check the facilities policy, but I've never had a problem just setting the pump for the full bag - each to their own. You also should be checking the Drs requirements as well - they might want a lot of fluid and or medication to go through quickly so best to double check that, rather than messing around with re-setting amounts, etc.

Don't you have pumps where you can push the air back up into the bag, (can't remember the term just off the top of my head as have a tired headache). You just push a button a couple of times and it pumps the air back up the line, back priming is it? (correct me if I'm wrong).

[Five&Two Will Do]

I don't know re other countries nursing policies, but in Aust we MUST check our IVs every hour. We also must record in the fluid balance chart the rate the pump is going at. It has to be done every hour, and is part of our nursing requirements. It's like checking urine output every hour and recording it - it just has to be done.

I don't know re all different types of pumps, but I find (as an agency nurse) it's always best to check the facilities policy, but I've never had a problem just setting the pump for the full bag - each to their own. You also should be checking the Drs requirements as well - they might want a lot of fluid and or medication to go through quickly so best to double check that, rather than messing around with re-setting amounts, etc.

Don't you have pumps where you can push the air back up into the bag, (can't remember the term just off the top of my head as have a tired headache). You just push a button a couple of times and it pumps the air back up the line, back priming is it? (correct me if I'm wrong).

I wish we had pumps that would back prime with the push of a button! We have alaris pumps which I like because of the guardrails system. I don't really have a problem with my pumps sucking air. I might short chang a liter by 50ml's or a IVPB by 10ml's, but I always make sure the patient gets all of the drug. We do I&O every hour on everyone too. I look at IV's to ensure no infiltration as well. Let's face it, unless one of mine is crashing, I am usually watching them sleep for most of the night. It's not like I don't have time:D

[nyrn5125]

this isn't rocket science. my facility doesn't have a policy on setting the pump for a 1 liter bag. we use our nursing judgement to leave us enough time to get another bag, set it to leave you 100cc of leeway. on days with eight patients doesn't usually allow us to be in the pt room each hour

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I wish we had pumps that would back prime with the push of a button! We have alaris pumps which I like because of the guardrails system. I don't really have a problem with my pumps sucking air. I might short chang a liter by 50ml's or a IVPB by 10ml's, but I always make sure the patient gets all of the drug. We do I&O every hour on everyone too. I look at IV's to ensure no infiltration as well. Let's face it, unless one of mine is crashing, I am usually watching them sleep for most of the night. It's not like I don't have time:D

We have Alaris pumps, too, so nope......no way to get air back out of the tubing, once it's in there.

I agree, too, if there is enough left in the bag I'll reset it to infuse as much as I can "without going over" (kind of like the Price is Right...). It gives me time to make sure I have another bag ready to go, though.

this isn't rocket science. my facility doesn't have a policy on setting the pump for a 1 liter bag. we use our nursing judgement to leave us enough time to get another bag, set it to leave you 100cc of leeway. on days with eight patients doesn't usually allow us to be in the pt room each hour

I used the word "policy" but that probably wasn't the right word....more like "unwritten guideline." We have it that everyone does it the same way so there isn't confusion if you hang a bag for someone else, etc. It's common knowledge that we all set them the same, just makes it easier.