Stupid Question: LPN and IV Therapy

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hi,

just need some clarification on lpn and iv therapy. i am a student with ec and just want to get the correct info. it's my understanding that lpn's can not give ivp, but can they administer other meds through iv, such as antibiotics?

thank you...

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Yes, in most states an LPN cannot give an iv push (except for flushes) and cannot initiate a blood tranfusion (RN must spike the bag & attach tubing to pt). Some facilities do not allow LPNs to give the first dose of an antibiotic or hang critical care meds (ie, cardizem). I pretty much do everything else.

PS not a stupid question at all!

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It depends on your State's Nurse Practice act and individual facility policy.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

depends on the state....texas lvn's do ivp's and hang ivpb on peripherals, picc/mid-lines and centrals.....it really depends on what state you live in but also what your facility policy is....

hi,

just need some clarification on lpn and iv therapy. i am a student with ec and just want to get the correct info. it's my understanding that lpn's can not give ivp, but can they administer other meds through iv, such as antibiotics?

thank you...

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Depends on state policy and policy of facility. You need to make yourself aware of your state's scope for LPNs because you do not want to be exceeding your scope of practice just because your employer tells you to. And remember, if you do not feel comfortable doing a procedure, get someone else who is qualified to do it. Don't ever try to do something you do not feel you are qualified to do.

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Thank you for all the responses. I have a practice question and was not sure how I should answer it. There is a standing order for an IV antibiotic, but who gives it the RN or the LPN. This is for New York. I'm thinking the LPN can do it, but was just nervous to pick it.

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Yeah, totally not a stupid question! I have always been tripped up by what is covered in a state Nurse Practice Act and what is not. Iowa LPNS are not supposed to touch, look at, or even think about an IV!

If this question is in regards to an Excelsior assignment, then I would call them and ask for clarfication from them! (RNWannabe, If you are working on what I think you might be working on, then it is very important that you get clarification on this question.)

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Thank you VegaStar.. I just got back from Barnes and Nobles and looked at the NCLEX-PN exam cram. It is published by Pearson. Pearson is who we take the boards with. The book said that LPN's do not administer any IV therapy at all. They only administer PO, IM and SubQ. I had to see it with my own eyes to get the clarification. I feel better about my decision now.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
thank you vegastar.. i just got back from barnes and nobles and looked at the nclex-pn exam cram. it is published by pearson. pearson is who we take the boards with. the book said that lpn's do not administer any iv therapy at all. they only administer po, im and subq. i had to see it with my own eyes to get the clarification. i feel better about my decision now.

my one advice ;) :

look at the scope of practice of lpns in the new york state website since ec is based there. it helped me answer the "practice questions" regarding iv you are talking about. please be careful because you don't want to break "something."

angel

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look at the scope of practice of lpns in the new york state website since ec is based there.

angel, i have to disagree with you there...

i once did call ec with a question about scope of practice as it pertained to an assignment, and was told that ec does not confirm to any specific state's scope of practice (including ny).

when i did have a question that seemed to require that i know scope of practice for a question, i called and they pointed to me a place on that assignment where a specific scope of practice was given for the purposes of answering that question.

(side note: i am making the assumption that since is a distance learning for nurses forum and the poster said that she was an ec student, that this pertains to an ec assignment.)

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Some facilities will not allow LPNs to give the first dose of an IV antibiotic because the RN must assess the pt during therapy for allergic/adverse reactions. For Excelsior purposes, the LPN cannot give IV push meds. Go with what EC says. It's their test. A lot of the NCLEX is about deligation, so go with what Pearson/NCSBN says. They administer/write the test.

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