Pump Placement
This is the ideal reference point for syringe pump height to ensure accurate flow rates.
What is the patient's heart level?
This pump process removes mechanical slack and engages the drive mechanism.
What is priming on the pump?
Startup delays are most noticeable when flow rates are lower than this value.
What is 5 mL per hour?
Lipids, blood, and some antibiotics fall into this viscosity category.
What are highviscosity fluids?
This valve prevents higherpressure fluids from pushing medication backward into a syringe line.
What is a backcheck valve?
Placing a syringe pump above the heart increases this risk due to gravity.
What is an unintended bolus?
Before priming on the pump, clinicians should do this step to the tubing.
What is manual priming?
These syringes are more efficient at pushing fluid due to rigid stoppers.
What are smaller syringes?
Highviscosity fluids increase this within small lumen lines.
What is resistance?
Backcheck valves are essential when multiple syringe pumps are connected in this way.
What is Y-site infusion into one lumen?
Pumps positioned below the heart can increase resistance and trigger this safety alert.
What is an occlusion alarm?
This friction force between the plunger and barrel contributes to startup delay.
What is stiction?
Syringes larger than this volume are more prone to startup delay.
What is 5 mL?
This type of fluid flows easily, even with multiple infusions.
What are lowviscosity fluids?
This valve prevents free flow caused by gravity when a pump is above the patient.
What is an antisiphon valve?
These patient populations are especially sensitive to flow inaccuracies due to very low infusion rates.
Who are NICU and PICU patients?
Larger syringes generally have more of this, leading to delayed flow.
What is stiction or compliance?
Expansion and contraction of the syringe barrel under pressure is known as this.
What is compliance?
A 1.9 Fr PICC line running viscous drugs increases the risk of this issue.
What is underinfusion or occlusion alarms?
An antisiphon valve helps prevent this dangerous event if tubing is removed from the pump.
What is an accidental bolus?
When running multiple infusions, these medications should be kept closest to heart level.
What are critical or vasoactive medications?
One benefit of priming is ensuring medication reaches the patient at this time.
What is immediately (without delay)?
Priming reduces this early-infusion problem that can delay critical medications.
What is startup delay?
Smaller catheter lumens and multiple infusions should prompt clinicians to monitor this pump setting.
What is occlusion pressure?
Antisiphon valves require active pump pressure due to this mechanical feature.
What is a higher cracking pressure?