Question: Lvn iv push

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I know lvn's are not allowed to push iv meds, only saline, but what about d50 iv for an emergency situation? I'm not sure about this one. Thanks for your answers.

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Specializes in 1st year Critical Care RN, not CCRN cert.

As far as I am aware, no they cannot because it is medicine. Yes it is sugar but it is medicine.

It is weird that the restrictions are on them like they are but I guess it makes sense. I am a student so I don't know the major differences between the 2 but there has to be some distinct differences.

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Specializes in Surgery, Tele, OB, Peds,ED-True Float RN.

Not at my hospital but I guess it depends on your province/state Board of Nursing and their "rules" governing practice AND hospital policy. Our policy sounds similar to wherever you live. No, they cannot push D50... just like they cannot change IV fluids with additives (ie. KCL) here.

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What LPN can push or cannot push depend on the hospital you work at. The hospital that I work the only iv meds LPN cannot push are those that require mixing such as protonix or very lethal iv med like metoprolol iv even RN cannot push that on reg med surg floor...so I will advice you to check your hospital policy.

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in nc it is within the lpn scope of practice to push iv meds, however, some hospitals choose to limit the scope of practice-which is within their right.

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Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

First, check with your BON, it varies greatly from state to state as far as restrictions are concerned.

This is old but it will give you an idea how different it is in each state:

http://nursing.advanceweb.com/article/lpns-and-iv-administration.aspx

THEN, you will also need to check your facilities policies, it might be OK in your state but not at your facility.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Where I work, LVNs can push IV meds. They are nurses too so why couldn't they? Only meds LVNs can't push are code drugs and meds that affect the heart directly like Levophed. Other than that, LVN's where I work are no different than the RN. I'm thinking this is just your hospital/ facilities policy.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

In my state LPN's can not push any IV med.. It is out of their scope of practice.. One of our LPN's was ACLS certified because in her previous state she could.. Contact your BON, that is where the restrictions come from but many hospitals set their own restrictions.

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What LPN can push or cannot push depend on the hospital you work at. The hospital that I work the only iv meds LPN cannot push are those that require mixing such as protonix or very lethal iv med like metoprolol iv even RN cannot push that on reg med surg floor...so I will advice you to check your hospital policy.

A RN can't push IV Metoprolol on a med surg unit at your hospital?

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Yes Dhamm. and if RN have to push it then the MD must be in the room. it sounds crazy to me also but hey I got to follow the rule.

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Specializes in ICU.

A patient should be on telemetry when pushing IV Lopressor. You wouldn't really know you needed to push it if they were med surg not on telemetry. Odds are pretty good the patient was an RRT to find that one out and placed on a monitor and a Dr or ICU nurse present. As an ICU nurse when I responded to an RRT we always give the meds. However, I don't know if it is because it was policy or because alot of the times they step out when the patient is unstable......

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Specializes in Post Surg.

it depends on the state/province and each facility's policy.

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