Hanging an IV Piggyback

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Chance Reaves
MSN-Ed,RN
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Included In This Lesson

Study Tools For Hanging an IV Piggyback

IV bags and tubing (Image)
140 Must Know Meds (Book)
Medication Administration Pro-Tips (Cheatsheet)
Spiking & Priming IV Bags (Cheatsheet)
Starting an IV (Cheatsheet)
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Outline

Overview

  1. Purpose
    1. Some IV infusions are hung as secondary, or piggyback, infusions with primary infusions of IV fluids
    2. This method ensures all of the medication is infused
    3. It also ensures the primary infusion is restarted immediately once the secondary is complete

Nursing Points

General

  1. Supplies needed to hang an IV piggyback
    1. Primary infusion – already spiked, primed, and infusing to patient
      1. Ensure fluids are compatible
    2. Secondary tubing
    3. Bag of med for piggyback infusion

Nursing Concepts

  1. Steps and Nursing Considerations
    1. Verify provider order
    2. ALWAYS follow 5 rights BEFORE preparing medication
      1. Right Patient
      2. Right Drug
      3. Right Dose
      4. Right Route
      5. Right Time
      6. Right Documentation
    3. ALWAYS prepare medications at the patient’s bedside
    4. Gather supplies
    5. Perform hand hygiene
    6. Don clean gloves
    7. Let the patient know what meds they will be receiving
    8. Remove IV med bag from package if applicable
    9. Open Secondary IV tubing package
    10. Clamp tubing with roller clamp
    11. Spike and prime the tubing appropriately
    12. Clamp tubing once fully primed
    13. Attach the secondary IV tubing to the port on the primary IV tubing that is above the pump
      1. Scrub the hub for 30 seconds with alcohol scrub
      2. Twist the leur-lock in place
    14. Set the pump for a secondary infusion per manufacturer instructions and according to the ordered rate
    15. Unclamp the secondary tubing , THEN Start Infusion
    16. AFTER administration
      1. Document administration
      2. If using barcode medication administration
        1. Scan all meds before preparing
        2. Confirm administration AFTER giving to patient
    17. Discard all used supplies
    18. Remove gloves
    19. Perform hand hygiene

Patient Education

  1. Indication and possible side effect(s) of medication(s)
  2. Signs to report to nurse or provider

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Transcript

In this video we’re going to look at how to hang an IV piggyback, otherwise known as a secondary IV infusion. To do this, you have to have a primary infusion running, so make sure you go back and watch how to spike and prime an IV infusion first!

So once you’ve verified your orders, you’re going to get your IV med bag out of the package if it’s in one.
Then you’ll open the secondary IV tubing package – this is usually much shorter than primary tubing and doesn’t go inside the pump. Then you’ll clamp that tubing once you have it open.

Then you need to spike and prime your secondary med bag – use a trashcan or the sink if you need to, then clamp it once it’s primed.

Now you’re going to attach the secondary IV tubing to the primary tubing – usually there’s a port above the pump, that’s where you want to attach it. Make sure you scrub the hub.

Now you can set the pump for a secondary infusion. If you aren’t sure how, check the manufacturer instructions or check with a charge nurse. Ad of course, make sure you’re setting it according to the ordered rate.

And, of course, make sure you unclamp the secondary tubing before you hit Start!

If you’re ever unsure how long to infuse these meds over, check with your pharmacist. Then, document the administration and monitor the patient for effects of the meds.

That’s it! Now, go out and be your best selves today. And, as always, happy nursing!

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Week 1 Self Study Oct 2-9 Nursing Clinical 360

Concepts Covered:

  • Labor Complications
  • Newborn Complications
  • Musculoskeletal Trauma
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
  • Oncology Disorders
  • EENT Disorders
  • Cardiac Disorders
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Medication Administration
  • Upper GI Disorders
  • Understanding Society
  • Tissues and Glands
  • Adulthood Growth and Development
  • Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
  • Newborn Care
  • Intraoperative Nursing
  • Circulatory System
  • Postoperative Nursing
  • Microbiology
  • Respiratory Emergencies
  • Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
  • Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • EENT Disorders
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Neurological Trauma
  • Pregnancy Risks
  • Postpartum Complications
  • Urinary Disorders
  • Urinary System
  • Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
  • Respiratory System

Study Plan Lessons

Adult Vital Signs (VS)
Pediatric Vital Signs (VS)
General Assessment (Physical assessment)
Integumentary (Skin) Assessment
Neuro Assessment
Head/Neck Assessment
EENT Assessment
Heart (Cardiac) and Great Vessels Assessment
Thorax and Lungs Assessment
Abdomen (Abdominal) Assessment
Lymphatic Assessment
Peripheral Vascular Assessment
Musculoskeletal Assessment
Genitourinary (GU) Assessment
Bariatric: IV Insertion
Dark Skin: IV Insertion
Tattoos IV Insertion
Geriatric: IV Insertion
Combative: IV Insertion
Tips & Advice for Newborns (Neonatal IV Insertion)
Tips & Advice for Pediatric IV
Supplies Needed
Using Aseptic Technique
Selecting THE vein
Tips & Tricks
IV Catheter Selection (gauge, color)
IV Insertion Angle
How to Secure an IV (chevron, transparent dressing)
Drawing Blood from the IV
Giving Medication Through An IV Set Port
How to Remove (discontinue) an IV
IV Placement Start To Finish (How to Start an IV)
Maintenance of the IV
IV Complications (infiltration, phlebitis, hematoma, extravasation, air embolism)
Needle Safety
IV Drip Therapy – Medications Used for Drips
IV Drip Administration & Safety Checks
Understanding All The IV Set Ports
IV Push Medications
Spiking & Priming IV Bags
Chest Tube Management
Pressure Line Management
Drawing Up Meds
Insulin Mixing
SubQ Injections
IM Injections
Hanging an IV Piggyback
NG (Nasogastric)Tube Management
NG Tube Med Administration (Nasogastric)
Stoma Care (Colostomy bag)
Wound Care – Assessment
Wound Care – Selecting a Dressing
Wound Care – Dressing Change
Wound Care – Wound Drains
Pill Crushing & Cutting
EENT Medications
Topical Medications
Medications in Ampules
Nursing Skills (Clinical) Safety Video
PPE Donning & Doffing
Sterile Gloves
Mobility & Assistive Devices
Spinal Precautions & Log Rolling
Restraints
Starting an IV
Drawing Blood
Blood Cultures
Central Line Dressing Change
Inserting a Foley (Urinary Catheter) – Female
Inserting a Foley (Urinary Catheter) – Male
Trach Suctioning
Trach Care
Inserting an NG (Nasogastric) Tube