Happy New Year to all! Now that the holidays are over, it’s time once again to look at the most read posts in 2015. Here are the top ten. 1. “Is there a difference? Osmolarity vs. Osmolality” – These terms have always been confusing. In infusion therapy, particularly with Fluids and Electrolytes and IV solutions, these two terms certainly…
Another year is about to end. As we celebrate the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to thank all of the followers and readers who have supported the infusionnurse blog. I am very grateful and truly appreciate your continued support. Wishing you peace, joy, and happiness during this festive season. Happy Holidays…
Q: I was getting Solumedrol drip and got a big goose egg where my IV needle was inserted. Will I get benefit from the drug that went into my skin? A: Thank you for your question. There are several articles on the topic of IV infiltration, however, I didn’t find anything specific on this. So here…
A: The goal when selecting the proper gauge of an peripheral IV catheter is to ensure that the best device meets the patient’s needs. This means taking into consideration many factors such as: Prescribed therapy/type of solution Duration of treatment Peripheral vein availability/vein integrity Diagnosis /Age Known complications of the device The Infusion Nurses Society standards of practice…
Why is it that patients, as well as others who work in our industry, even doctors and nurses, think that infusion nurses do the same job as phlebotomists? Is it because both do venipunctures? Such sterotype and it’s time to stop thinking they are even remotely similar. 1. An infusion nurse (aka IV nurse) is not…
MAGIC – stands for Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters. This guide (Table 2) was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, September 15, 2015. See reference below. Appropriate indications for PICC use 1. Delivery of peripherally compatible infusates when the proposed duration of such use is ≥6 d* 2. Delivery of non–peripherally compatible infusates (e.g.,…
It has been that many years ago but every year, we will never forget what happened on this day, 9/11/2001. The Faces of 9/11 We will always remember those who died from this tragedy, whose memories we celebrate today. We will always be grateful to the courageous firefighters, rescuers and first responders who risked their lives…
Q: We work in a single physician office based infusion clinic and we infuse drugs for rheumatoid arthritis by gravity, not by pump, because pumps are expensive. Me and the other nurse think dial-a flow tubing will be useful especially on a busy infusion day. What do you think? A: Dial-a-flo devices are designed to…
NOT able to obtain a blood return from CVAD? This might indicate a problem. If the tip of the CVAD is in the lower third of the superior vena cava at the junction of the SVC and RA, then you should get a blood return. If you can’t get a positive blood return, do not…
Here’s a conversation I’ve had with an RN preparing to give a weight based medication via a peripheral IV: I don’t weigh the patient each time they come in for an infusion. I only weigh them at the beginning of their treatment to get a baseline weight. Why should I weigh them again, they can…
Infusion Nurse Blog 