LVNs and IV Therapy in CA - help, what you can and cannot do?

[mfierce]

For LVNs in CA if someone could clarify what we can and cannot do. I have completed an IV Therapy course. I am just confused because I am hearing mixed things.... Am I allowed to perform IV infusions and mix the bag if the practice allows me? Also am I allowed to do glutathione IV push? or with the IV therapy certification am I only allowed to start the IV which means inserting the needle and not starting the IV or mixing the solutions?

If I can perform IV therapy can I infuse the following items? And is there a list of what I can and cannot infuse?

Ascorbic Acid (Non-Corn)

Magnesium Chloride PFV

Dexpanthenol PFV

Pyridoxine HCL PFV

Vitamin B-Complex PFV

Methylcobalamin MDV

L-Glutathione MDV

I just want to know what I can and cannot do. Just trying to practice as safely as possible.

Posted on pg. 46- http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vnregs.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article 8. Intravenous Therapy

2542. Definition.

As used in this Article:

(a)

"Intravenous fluids" means fluid solutions of electrolytes, nutrients, vitamins, blood and bl

ood

products.

(b)

"Superimpose" means to connect a container of intravenous fluid to tubing through which another

container of intravenous fluid has just been administered.

©

"Primary infusion line" means the line which provides a direct infusion between the c

ontainer and the

peripheral vein.

(d)

"Secondary infusion line" means a line which provides infusion through a lateral access into a primary

infusion line.

2542.1. Intravenous Therapy.

The Board will consider a licensed vocational nurse as competent to start and superimpose

intravenous fluids via primary or secondary infusion lines who has completed one of the following:

(a)

A course I

n intravenous therapy approved by the Board, as defined in Section 2542.3.

(b)

Submitted certification, satisfactory to the Board, by one of the persons specified in Section 2542.4,

that the licensee has been instructed in the subject areas specified in

Section 2542.3 and that the

licensee has the knowledge, skills and abilities to safely practice venipuncture. For further limitations,

see Business and Professions Code section 2860.5.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I'm looking forward to reading replies as well. I'm a new grad LVN and am taking the IV cert class in a few days!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Based on what we learned in class while reviewing the applicable rules:

No mixing in a bag.

No pushing directly into a vein.

Piggy backs are in our scope.

HTH!

[nursemama707]

Bumping this post up to see if anyone has any up to date info or list of limits for LVN and IVs after completing the cert course. I will be taking the IV Cert/Venipuncture course later this month and starting a job that involves IVs, so interested to know. Thank you.

[liznrs30, LVN]

yes someone please spell it out to me regarding our scope of practice as i have an interview soon with an oral surgeon who is looking for LVN to assist, i have 2 years experience just passing meds, giving shots, but not IV i'm only exposed to it, thats about it and as much as i'm not well experienced with IVs this doctor explained to me that I will start IVs and just monitor the patient. I'm very confuse cause i thought we were not allowed to start IVs but had to read and re-read it again, this doctor also mentioned he will train me so im doing a lot of thinking here and will just check the BVNPT website for this. Any LVNs work with travel doctors?

[Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

That's very vague. The FL board is more clear. If I were you I would write the board yourself with the specific question you would like. Once you get a response, you will have written proof by the board itself(accompanied by it's official letterhead).