Scared to death of IV's, please help!

clee1 · Jul 26, 2007

OK.....

Initial hangs are easy. Insuring that the line is CLOSED, puncture the IVF bag w/ the drip set tubing. Hang the bag. Squeeze the drip chamber a couple of times until the chamber is approx 1/2 full of fluid. OK, now with one hand on the clamp and the other holding the end of the tubing over a trash can or other fluid-holding container, open the clamp and allow to run until a steady flow of fluid comes out (5-10ml). Place the line in the pump as appropriate........

Rehangs are easy too.... IF you catch the bag beforeit is completely empty. Stop the pump. Pull down the old bag and spike the new one. Hang the new bag. Squeeze the drip chamber a couple of times until the chamber is approx 1/2 full of fluid. Restart the pump.

If the bag completely empties, stop the pump and remove the tube from the pump. Treat it like it was for an initial hang - except when you are clearing the line, you'll get some flow - it'll stop, then restart again - before you put the tubing back into the pump.

A trick for priming piggybacks is to spike the PB with a new tubing (clamped), connect it to the main tubing port. Then with the PB below the level of the main IVF bag, open the PB clamp and allow IVF to backfill into the PB tubing. Reclamp when the PB drip chamber is half full and hang the PB above the level of the main IVF bag. Set your pump......

Hope this helps!

MoriahRoseRN · Jul 26, 2007

Thank you so much. I feel kind of dumb asking that question, but I rather feel a little dumb asking then to make a mistake and introduce some air into the tube and cause big problems.

clee1 · Jul 26, 2007

Thank you so much. I feel kind of dumb asking that question, but I rather feel a little dumb asking then to make a mistake and introduce some air into the tube and cause big problems.

No problem.... glad to help.

Keep in mind that some air is not a big problem: it would take a full tubing of air to cause an embolism, and every pump I've ever seen would alert and/or stop pumping long before that quantity of air could enter the pt's vascular system.

roypatrick · Jul 26, 2007

Thank you so much. I feel kind of dumb asking that question, but I rather feel a little dumb asking then to make a mistake and introduce some air into the tube and cause big problems.

This one plagued me also. A little time and practice will get you there. The hospital I am at just bought a new pump that has an air chamber that traps the air in the line and releases it. Good luck.

jjjoy, LPN · Jul 26, 2007

Ask at local community colleges if they have open skills labs. I know of one in my area (well, it's an hour away, but it's good to know it's there) that has open self-study skills lab hours staffed with an experienced nurse. You have to register with the school, but it's a small fee given the resources it allows one to access. It's a great place to practice skills and get feedback on technique without feeling rushed.

radiationnurse · Jul 27, 2007

you will get the skill down after a few go arounds -you should have a nurse preceptor with you as you are getting everything ready- nobody hardly ever gets a lot of clinical expiriance anyways. Have confidence in yourself its a skill you just have to practice - just take advantage of anytime anyone needs fluids and do it - thats how I did it, I've only been out of school one year this august and I get called on a lot to start and hang IV's -good luck

southernatheart · Jul 28, 2007

Also,another trick..if your pump tells you thatyou have air in your line, take a flush, squirt 1/2 into the trash and screw the syringe onto the 2ndary thingy on the iv cartridge. Back prime right into the syringe:) You'll see the plunger rise.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 29, 2007

Hi,
Please don't laugh, but I am nervous about anything that has to do with IV's, even when it comes to hanging fluids. I haven't been around IV's in over two years, and only as a student before. Can some one please give me the basics on hanging fluids. I am afraid of introducing air into the line with initial starts and rehanging fluids. I am sure it is not as bad as I imagine it, but I need a little help with my anxiety. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I am afraid of IV care as well, but I am facing it. As an LPN in NY, we are not mandated to know IV care, but, the catch is that the job may require it and if so, they have the obligation to certify the nurse. I worked 6 weeks in med-surg before my regular assignment as a nurse in the clinic started and it was a mess for me. I had no regular perceptor, so, I saw different ways of how nurses performed their skill. I ran like a bat out of hell when it was time to leave, especially after they refused to give me an extra two weeks with the main focus being IV care. Now, however, I decided to work in med-surg per diem and I visited one of the LPNs that I trust. She walked me through it, and I decided I will go back. It can be fearful, but I also know that this is a basic nursing skill that I plan to master.

Another thing that scares me is catheter insertion. But, I plan to get that, too. You will be fine with some practice. Be patient with yourself.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 29, 2007

Ask at local community colleges if they have open skills labs. I know of one in my area (well, it's an hour away, but it's good to know it's there) that has open self-study skills lab hours staffed with an experienced nurse. You have to register with the school, but it's a small fee given the resources it allows one to access. It's a great place to practice skills and get feedback on technique without feeling rushed.

Interesting:idea:; I had a friend who worked the open skill lab at my old college. She offered me, but I didn't have time to go. I should have taken advantage of it, then. But, now, someone took time to show me on the job and I plan to practice until I am perfect.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 29, 2007

No problem.... glad to help.
Keep in mind that some air is not a big problem: it would take a full tubing of air to cause an embolism, and every pump I've ever seen would alert and/or stop pumping long before that quantity of air could enter the pt's vascular system.

I was glad to know this as well. As long as the bubbles are not large and gaping, it is not bad. I had the fear also that even the slightest bubble would kill my poor patient.

NurseNayin07 · Jul 29, 2007

Hi,
Please don't laugh, but I am nervous about anything that has to do with IV's, even when it comes to hanging fluids. I haven't been around IV's in over two years, and only as a student before. Can some one please give me the basics on hanging fluids. I am afraid of introducing air into the line with initial starts and rehanging fluids. I am sure it is not as bad as I imagine it, but I need a little help with my anxiety. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Hey! I was just like you... very scared of giving someone an air embolism through an IV! Actually I didn't really feel comfortable messing with IV fluids until my last semester of nursing school in my preceptorship. Just make sure to always prime your tubing (and when you are priming it, you can always see the air bubbles coming out). Before you start running the fluids, make sure to back prime the fluids through the pump (should be a setting to do this on the IV pump) just to make sure the line is 100% clear. This works when hanging secondary bags also. But just remember as long as you prime your tubing before even running the fluids you should be fine!