So bad with IV bags/rates/machines

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Here I am, working as a new grad in an ICU, and I STILL don't have the hang of IV's and all that goes with them. I'm ok pushing in meds, but hanging bags and getting the hang of it all (no pun intended) . . .are there any good online tutorials? I strangely can't find much at all in my old nursing books.

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Specializes in peds hem/onc/research/cpon.

i am a new grad too..4 months out, just got off orientation believe me in school we had no practice with IV stuff ! keep practicing the more you do it the better you will get!! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Here I am, working as a new grad in an ICU, and I STILL don't have the hang of IV's and all that goes with them. I'm ok pushing in meds, but hanging bags and getting the hang of it all (no pun intended) . . .are there any good online tutorials? I strangely can't find much at all in my old nursing books.

What do you mean? Are you having trouble with titration? Or compatibilities?

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Specializes in LTC.

Here is a sticky from the student forums which has thorough explanations about IV's which i'm sure I'll refer to during my career.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/any-good-iv-therapy-nursing-procedure-web-sites-127657.html

This may be a little extra help

http://www.icufaqs.org/

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

A few things I keep in mind:

When in doubt, flush the line.

Gravity is your friend.

Can't get that bubble? Find the next port and pop and syringe on it (with the plunger out), clamp the end to the pt under the port, and let the bubble run into the syringe. Don't forget to place the plunger back into the syringe or you will have wet feet when you take it off!

Prime new lines outside the room, you will be less nervous if the pt isn't tracking each little air bubble on you.

As far as rates etc go, don't ever be afraid to ask for a double check, and keep asking until someone says "hey you are going to owe me a Coke for this cause your lines and rates are always perfect!"

Keep different IV Piggybacks on separate lines and date them to be changed. You can flush all you want, but a 3day old line is likely to have some med imbeded in its plastic. Maxipime and Vanco are a prime example of this and precipitate like crazy even when back-flushed sometimes!

The pharmacy is your friend. Compatibility chart making more headaches than sense? Call pharmacy. Ask them if they have time for a question and then lead on!

Hope this helps a little bit!

Tait

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