Assessing a Patient's Tubes
Intravenous Infusions:
Assessing an IV Infusion from bag to patient:
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Calculating IV drip rates:
Making a timing strip:
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Not all IV bags start with "0" as the first marking, but may start with a "1", meaning that when the IV fluid is on the "1", 100 ml of fluid has been infused.
This timing strip is for an infusion ordered at 150 ml/hr Include the Date and time the IV bag was hung and the gtts/min. Write in the hours using large print so that the strip is easily read [even at night]. Be sure to include the time at the bottom of the strip when the IV bag is expected to be empty. |
Changing a patient gown while IV is infusing:
- Use an IV gown with shoulder snaps or ties whenever possible
- Never lower the IV bag below the level of the patient's IV site
- Do not pull on the patient's IV site
Discontinuing an IV infusion:
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Measuring Intake and Output:
Determine how much IV fluid has infused over the shift
Document how much IV fluid is LTC (Left to Count) - How much fluid is currently in the IV bag that the next shift will account for?
Checking Tubes:
Oxygen
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Nasogastric tubes
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Drainage tubes
- Jackson-Pratt
- JP #1 is draining an area without suction being applied.
- JP#2 has suction applied by compressing the bulb.
- Evaluate drainage - expected amount and type?
- Empty bulb with 1/2 - 2/3 full
- Compress bulb to maintain suction unless contraindicated
- Hemovac
To empty, carefully remove the plug and pour drainage into a measuring container After empying, compress the hemovac by pushing down on the top and insert the plug