Brandazzle1

Flush only used for flush?! See. I can't find policy on how to dilute morphine but it says I must dilute it. I've been using NS flush. What are you drawing it up from? Is there a normal saline vial I should be looking for?

I agree. They looked at me like I was crazy for not knowing to dilute mrophine IV push but that's how dayshift trained me to do it. I wish they wouldn't give that reaction when I ask a question. I ask and they're like "you didn't know that?! That worries me!"

Thanks backtothebeach im gonna review it now

They haven't said anything about starting a second IV line specifically for the critical infusion but I plan to discuss today to see if that's in the hospital protocol.

Bonniesc, they just trained me to waste half the normal saline syringe and draw up morphine into that syringe and then use a flush before and after it. They said the only error I made was not pausing the heparin. Are you saying I shouldn't be diluting the morphine in the NS syringe because they said that was a no-no to push the morphine directly without diluting.

Thanks. I plan to do just that.

Susie, the basics about setting rates and such and starting IVs and hanging secondary lines, etc. unfortunately we only got one semester of clinical in the actual hospital because of space issues and I had all PO meds for the patients I encountered so I didn't get a chance to do hands on learning. I then went straight into hospice with no IVs so there was never another shot at it. I have been reviewing things online to try and fill in the gaps tonight. I spoke to another member of my class and she doesn't recall this lesson either. It scares me. I am trying to teach myself now to make sure this doesn't lead to a negative outcome.

I plan to work until I go into labor. Baby brain isn't helping things though.

It's actually just an observation unit, not ICU. ICU would be terrifying now!

I am new to the hospital environment and brand new to IV meds so when my preceptor said it was a mistake not to pause the heparin drip before doing an IV push dose of morphine I expressed understanding and told her I never knew that. I honestly don't remember learning that in nursing school so she told my boss and now they've added another week of orientation for safety concerns. I am terrified they're going to fire me. I already had an extra week of training to hone my time management skills and then I do this! I just worry that there are other deficits in my education that will lead me to endanger a patient or get fired and I'm 37 weeks pregnant so I'm about to go on leave without really being on my own. I just feel like I'm failing and the preceptor says I didn't seem to understand how serious this mistake was. She's right. I didn't. I don't know what I don't know, you know? Are there other things specific to IVs that I should be aware of before I kill someone?