ERnurse:)

I have never been in a code where there wasn't a at least one (from an outsider's point of view) "inappropriate" comment made. If fact, last night during an arrest in the trauma room I think there was more laughing and joking than in the break room. The adrenaline is high, and there is something about that situation that calls for that dark sense of humor. Its not a job everyone can do.

I would call pharmacy and/or look up the piggybacked medication's compatibility (with KCL) in the IV therapy manual or drug guide. If it is not mentioned, assume it is not compatible. Hope that helps!

Is that all of the information that you get? My first thoughts would be to that his blood volume is in his boots. Aside from all of the attention he should be getting for that, specific to the urine issue...insert a foley to measure output while giving him fluids. That being said, if he is really critical there are a lot of other things you need to tend to. hope that helps ernurse:)

Do you have an IV therapy team at your facility? That would be the majority of the job if you got on with that team. Good luck. I love IV starts too.

The IV pump will beep for a couple of reasons so to stop it you have to troubleshoot. If it is upstream your tubing may be still be clamped etc. If it is downstream it is usually because of the patient's position related to the cannula. Have them straighten the arm, or select a better site for insertion (the ACF is a bad one for beeping, try sites that the patient does not bend at). I don't know if you wanted more detailed tips, but those are usually the reasons the pump beeps. As for getting air out of lines you can use a syringe to withdraw the air from the nearest port (above). That always works for me, or if its just a bit of air (few bubbles) it is okay in a PIV. As for getting air out of IV fluids I am not sure what you mean, invert the ports when you prime the tubing, and with IV direct meds pull back and flick the bubbles out when you are preparing the med. Hope that helps :)

I agree, nursing is hard...but so is anything else thats worth something. Things make more sense over time and you just start to "get it" hopefully you find whats right for you :)

First year nursing has to be the worst, but it does get better...much better. There are endless opportunities for nurses, and there are many types of nursing so you can choose the environment that best suits you. Take your schooling for what it is (a learning experience) and just try to soak up as much as you can. Being a nurse is amazing, and its well worth the stress of nursing school. Good luck!