stopcocks

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

Just how long does it take to remember which way to turn the stopcocks? :) I know there is a logical way to look at them and my preceptor turns them without much effort and had been great about explaining the process. Its just so foreign to me. How long before you were doing it with ease?

[meandragonbrett]

I'm not really sure. I always advise people to just slow down and to look at the stopcock when messing with it. Depending on your stopcock.......The long part is always what's turned off. That's how I remembered it until it was second nature.

[dianah, ASN]

First find the "off" indicator and orient yourself using that.

The arrows indicate flow, and off is off. :)

[BellaInBlueScrubsRN]

I'm good with stopcocks. However, those stupid rollerclamps on a secondary IV. I prime, clamp, attach to the pump, then never remember to UNCLAMP after hitting start!

[medflight]

I really don't mean any disrespect, but why is this in the CCU forum? this is a question that needs to be addressed in the student forum.

[meandragonbrett]

I really don't mean any disrespect, but why is this in the CCU forum? this is a question that needs to be addressed in the student forum.

1--Stopcocks tend to be used primarily in critical care.

2--It's not in the student forum because the OP is not a student

[fiveofpeep]

I agree. just slow down. especially with ventriculostomies. whenever I am accessing them, even though I feel like I know the stop cocks well after checking qhour I follow the lines each way to make sure Im open to drain.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

I really don't mean any disrespect, but why is this in the CCU forum? this is a question that needs to be addressed in the student forum.

Wow, seems I annoyed you with my trivial "student" question. I am new to ICU not to nursing. It is such a different world and I just wanted a little insight from the experienced.

I am sure in time I will be flipping the things around like a pro. Thanks for the other responses.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I moved from Australia to the US and was calling them 3 way taps (as we do) until one day the CRNA said "I have no idea what you're talking about." I explained and she said "We call them STOPCOCKS in this country!".

So I didn't forget after that public humiliation.

But really, it's not hard to learn them. Practice on a discarded set a few times and you'll be fine.

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

Here's a couple of illustrations...

[IHeartDukeCTICU]

Haha, trial by fire... after you get some type of body fluid on your scrubs or gloves, depending on what type of line it is, you'll pick it up :) so many lessons learned on orientation. Don't feel bad though, you'll pick it up quicker than you think once you get your hands on it. Besides... it doesn't take long to change the sheets

[fiveofpeep]

^ ahaha so true. it only takes one time to ruin your fresh linens with misguided aline blood to learn your lesson