using Baxter IV pumps and IV med administration for dummies

pirituba · Sep 7, 2008

I'm scared as you're, I've been a nurse for about 9months but I have only worked in LTC. Tomorrow is my first day of work in medical acute floor. Everybody is stable but I had some experience with IV, but still when I look at the IV pump I just blank. I did have IV training but when you don't use you loose it. I am a little scared, they're going to train me, but the fact that I will have a preceptor it scares me. For having problems with math, i try to think clear and I usually bring withme my nurse calculation hand book (pocket size)for a quick look up. And make sure to check your calculations twice for accuracy. The hand book is "Math for Nurses: A pocket Guide to Dosage Calculation and Drug Preparation" by Mary JO Boyer and it is a 6th edition.

I hope that helps and good luck!!!

Raquel:nurse:

pirituba · Sep 7, 2008

I don't think you've to worry about drip rate unless you don't have a pump! Give an example and I will try to solve for you!

Raquel

Nurseismade RN · Sep 9, 2008

Hi in answer to your question of Can someone give me an example of a typical order for an IV med?

one is vyoxx....order to give 50mls over 30 mins. This one is easy just so that you can understand how to calculate.

to get the mls per hour rate.....I use total volume to be infused divided by total time to infuse X drip rate.

so 50 divided by 30 mins = 1.66 X drip rate (usually 60) answer = 99.9 round up to 100.

so on the pump you would set the volume at 50 and the rate at 100 and press RUN.

It will finish at 30 mins.

Hope that helps. :nurse:

adrienurse, LPN · Sep 9, 2008

so the orders usually call for ml's of the solution? How does the dosage in mg come into play? Maybe I'm having trouble picturing how the meds are supplued from pharmacy.

morte, LPN, LVN · Sep 9, 2008

so the orders usually call for ml's of the solution? How does the dosage in mg come into play? Maybe I'm having trouble picturing how the meds are supplued from pharmacy.

commonly the meds come labeled from the pharmacy as to rate and/or the bag should run for......always need to know how to calculate, because the pharmacy is no more perfect than we are!