Managing time when working with a buretrol
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buretrol or volutrol is an intravenous delivery device attached
between the IV fluid bag and the intravenous catheter. It
is used to deliver IV fluids in a safe manner to children and medications*
in some nursing units. Usual volume capacity is 150 ml.
Some
units have a policy that a buretrol will be used on all children
under 10 kg while others may state 20 kg.
Individual units vary on policy.
In practice: Make note of hospital/unit policy for use of buretrols. Current theory is that buretrols should be used for children weighing <10-15 kg. Example: John is a pediatric client in a hospital in which the policy is to place all children on IV therapy on a buretrol and to only fill the buretrol no more than two-three hours worth of fluid. The nurse fills the buretrol to 90 ml at 10 a.m. If John’s IV is running at 34 ml per hour, how long will it be before the nurse will need to fill it again?Calculate: 90 ml ÷ 34 (ml/hr) = 2.65 hrs However, 0.65 hrs = ? minutes.
Answer = 39 minutes Add this to the 2 hours. 10 a.m. + 2 hr 39 minutes = 12:39 p.m. At 12:39 p.m. the buretrol will need more fluid added so that air does not get into the tubing. * If therapeutic drug levels are being collected and the volutrol is the delivery system, then the time the fluid flows through the tubing needs to be determined and factored in when drawing the blood levels. |
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