piggyback question

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I am in my last quarter of an ADN program and I have a question that I'm too embarrassed to ask my instructors....something I should probably know by now.

If you have a piggyback that is not compatible with the primary infusion, can you clamp the primary line above the y-port, flush it, give the piggyback, flush again, and resume primary infusion.

I only ask because I looked back on some old notes from my first quarter and saw this written. Never seen it done and seems like it'd be a pain in the butt.

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NO, it is better if you hang a new line just for that medication. Usually that is given while primary is on hold. Flush the site well, cap the line if it can be used again with that same med then restart your primamry if it is to continue.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
NO, it is better if you hang a new line just for that medication. Usually that is given while primary is on hold. Flush the site well, cap the line if it can be used again with that same med then restart your primamry if it is to continue.

Ditto.

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Cardiac.
I am in my last quarter of an ADN program and I have a question that I'm too embarrassed to ask my instructors....something I should probably know by now.

If you have a piggyback that is not compatible with the primary infusion, can you clamp the primary line above the y-port, flush it, give the piggyback, flush again, and resume primary infusion.

I only ask because I looked back on some old notes from my first quarter and saw this written. Never seen it done and seems like it'd be a pain in the butt.

I just graduated in May, and now am working on a surgical unit where I have questions that are too embarassing come up on a daily basis. If I can give you some advice before you get out of school. There is no such thing as a question that is too embarassing or too stupid.

Over the course of two or four years of nursing school you are given so much information and there is no way you are going to remember every single thing, in fact your really not expected to, if you don't ask questions you won't learn.

Ask those questions, ask you instructors or the nurses you are working with on the floor; do yourself a favor though, don't ask a fellow student (at least don't ask with they being the final word) as they like you are students and are may not always have the right answer.

Remember one last thing, Asking a stupid (uncomfortable,obvious, et al) question never hurt or killed anybody but not asking has.

Good Luck

The Leprakan

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Agree with steelcity and Dutchgirl. If you are too embarrassed to ask another nurse, call pharmacy for guidance.

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