Piggy bag & Starting IV

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

can a respiratory therapist starts an iv on a pt?

no.

can a piggyback run at the same time with ns or d5w through the pump?

not usually.

12breakfree · Nov 17, 2008

Thanks for replying to my questions. I was wondering about that because my pt needed a new IV and I notified the nurse, the nurse was busy and referred me to my instructor. I informed my instructor then she was in the room checked if the iv was leaking. The IV was actually leaking as I described then she told one of the other students who has an occupation as described above to instruct another student who hasn't yet started one to start with her wthout instructor present. I was in the room with them at that point but what I found out was that she didn't quite know well as she appeared to be.

She let the other student who didn't get a chance started one inserted but I guess she was too nervous, so this appointed student on my instructor behalf took over and inserted the IV. She started to removed the needle when the catheter wasn't even half way into the vein. I wanted to say something in fact I did after it was unsuccessful that she wasn't suppose to pull out just yet until she gets at least a flash back. When she removed the needle with no flash back, she also removed the tourniquet and tried to push the catheter in again and again. The pt was in pain and I was oh my goodness. Then she removed needle to start elsewhere. That was when I said in a quite tone of voice. I think you might need to go at least a half way before you removed the needle and tourniquet. She didn't say anything but continued to act as if she was an expert but she took my advice so this time it was successful. I felt horrible for the pt, he was my pt.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

If I understood what you posted though, a "student" nurse no matter what they do when not a student is a student nurse at clinicals and work under the direction of their clinical instructor. The person at fault is the instructor.

FlyingScot, RN · Nov 17, 2008

can a respiratory therapist starts an iv on a pt?
no.

actually yes they can if it is within their job description and their state's scope of practice. in one of my past jobs not only could they start iv's but they also could administer some iv push antibiotics (had to be respiratory related). i've worked with many rts who are excellent at iv starts.