When to dilute IV push meds ???

cannoli · Oct 6, 2003

I have an IV drug book; has dilution, amount, time, etc. Even ones I've given before I frequently look up, only takes a few seconds to look up.

Brownms46 · Oct 6, 2003

Good advice, and yes it gets better, but no one keeps it all in their head. Even MDs look up drugs to RX. And when it's not in the drug book, I use the inserts if I'm mixing, or call pharmacy, and I have had them to pull out an insert on a med, that has been ordered. Good luck:)

EastCoast · Oct 6, 2003

Take a few minutes and an index card and list in 2 columns the medication on one side and the dilution/push rate in the other column. laminate and every few months update it. Take a look also at the policy of your hospital because some meds might be given one way in a facility but another way somewhere else. I would be hesitant to generalize and give info that is not specific to your hospital.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 6, 2003

always look up ANYTHING new. and whenever in doubt.

it's critical for safety. and know that drugs and uses change all the time so it pays to stay current.

wayover20 · Oct 6, 2003

Recalling an incident in our hospital involving a new nurse........DON'T EVER PUSH POTASSIUM!!!

jax · Oct 6, 2003

Make a list of the commonly used drugs on your unit, and some not so common ones, enlarge it , laminate it, stick it on the wall in you medication area. A useful resource for anyone. Better yet get pharmacy to do it for you, they could include specific hospital policy. jax

bewbew · Oct 6, 2003

DON'T EVER PUSH POTASSIUM!!!

I shudder when I think of that!!

In Australia the containers that hold pottasium are similar to the ones that hold sterile water and normal saline, (10ml), only the colour of the writing is different. I hope this is changed soon.

In Australia we have what we refer to as the 'bible' for IV meds, lists all the info you could possibly need. I use it everytime, no matter what I think I remember.

KMSRN · Oct 6, 2003

I look up all IV drugs unless they are things I give all the time and am absolutely sure of correct administration. Recently an experienced RN clogged a port a cath with dilantin because she didn't know how to give it and didn't look it up. I also tend to dilute most pushes (with appropriate solution) because it is easier to push 10 cc over 5 minutes, for example, than 1 cc over 5 minutes. My favorite IV Med book is Intravenous Medications 2004: A Handbook for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (Intravenous Medications, 20th Ed) by Betty L. Gahart, Adrienne Nazareno. I buy it every 2 years and use it all the time. It easily identifies dose, dilution, compatibilies, and rate of administration.

pwp1289 · Oct 6, 2003

our pharmacy mixes all p/b antibiotics and they come with delivery times on label--med/surg nurses are only allowed to push iv heparin bolus,lasix (up to 60mg),benadryl and d50--WE HAVE REMOVED ALL POTASSIUM FROM ALL FLOORS!!!!!!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 6, 2003

Potassium concentrated is not stocked,, you must call the pharmacy, and they alert the coordinator that they sent it (or the NM if it's daytime). The NM or coordinator hunts you down like a dog to MAKE SURE that you do NOT make a mistake with it and stand right there and watch while you do whatever you are ordered to do with the potassium.

And this is why our facility has had absolutely no incidents of potassium OD's.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 6, 2003

we NEVER keep k+ of any sort on our floor. It must be mixed and ordered from the pharmacy WITH a doctor order ATTACHED.