PCA Pump
This prevents the patient from administering doses too frequently thereby preventing opioid overdose.
What is the lockout interval?
This type of feeding provides nutrition directly into the stomach or small intestine for patients who cannot eat orally.
What is enteral feeding?
This medication is typically initiated at 50 mL/hr for the first 30 minutes before increasing the rate if tolerated.
What is Rituximab?
Respiratory depression and decreased responsiveness
What are the signs and symptoms of a potential opioid overdose?
Before starting an enteral feeding, the nurse must confirm the correct placement of the feeding tube using this method.
What is an abdominal X-ray or KUB?
If a patient begins to exhibit signs of an infusion reaction—such as chills, fever, and hypotension—this should be the nurse’s first action.
What is to slow or stop the infusion and assess the patient?
Interventions when suspecting an opioid overdose
What is stopping the PCA, assessing ABCs, and administering Narcan?
Patients who are at high risk for aspiration should be positioned in this way during feedings.
What is at least 30–45 degrees (semi-Fowler’s position)?
During an IVIG infusion, the rate is typically increased by this amount every 30 minutes, assuming the patient tolerates it.
What is 0.5 mL/kg/hr
First step in programming a PCA Pump
What is confirming the identity of the patient and the medication order?
If a patient develops diarrhea after starting a tube feeding, the nurse should assess for this common cause.
What is feeding intolerance (or too rapid an infusion rate)?
A sodium bicarbonate infusion is ordered as 150 mEq diluted in 250 mL to be infused over 2 hours. This requires programming the pump to deliver this many mL per hour.
What is 125 mL/hr
When programming a PCA pump for a patient with renal impairment, the nurse may reduce the demand dose and add this low‑level continuous infusion to avoid drug accumulation.
What is a basal infusion?
Patients receiving continuous tube feedings should have this monitored regularly to assess for signs of intolerance.
What is gastric residual volume (GRV)?
This process, often performed by a second nurse, ensures that the infusion pump’s settings match the provider’s order.
What is an independent double-check?