N
The Global Insight

What is a secondary infusion

Author

John Johnson

Updated on March 25, 2026

› An intravenous (I.V.) “piggyback,” or secondary infusion, is the administration of. medication that is diluted in a small volume of I.V. solution (e.g., 50–250 ml in a minibag) through an established primary infusion line.

What is the difference between a primary infusion and a secondary infusion?

A secondary IV is usually used for medications and usually contains a smaller volume than the primary IV; secondary IV bags are usually 50-250 mL, while the most frequently used primary IV bags are 500 or 1000 mL.

What is the purpose of a piggyback IV?

The term “piggyback” is used because the smaller bag is plugged into, or “takes a piggyback ride” on, the established main IV line. The smaller bag is removed once the medication has been infused; the main IV remains unchanged. This “piggyback” technique means the patient does not require multiple IV sites.

What is the difference between primary and secondary IV line?

When used continuously, a secondary IV line permits drug infusion and titration while the primary line maintains a constant total infusion rate. When used intermittently, a secondary IV line is commonly called a piggyback set. In this case, the primary line maintains venous access between drug doses.

How does a secondary infusion work?

Overview. Secondary intravenous (IV) infusions are a way to administer smaller volume-controlled amounts of IV solution (25-250 mL). Secondary IV infusions are delivered over longer periods of time than IV push medications, which reduces the risks associated with rapid infusions, such as phlebitis and infiltration.

What is the point of secondary tubing?

Secondary IV tubing: Shorter in length than primary tubing, with no access ports or backcheck valve; when connected to a primary line via an access port, used to infuse intermittent medications or fluids. A secondary tubing administration set is used for secondary IV medication.

What does bolus IV mean?

n. A large volume of fluid or dose of a drug given intravenously and rapidly at one time.

When do you change secondary IV tubing?

administration set changes. Change primary administration sets and any piggyback (secondary) tubing that remains continuously attached to them every 72 hours to minimize breaks in the closed administration system. Also replace them whenever the sterile fluid pathway may have been compromised.

How long are secondary lines good for?

If placed with proper aseptic technique, it is not recommended to change a peripheral IV line more frequently than every 72–96 hours.

What drug should never be given IV push?

The most common medications not provided in ready-to-administer syringes include: Antiemetics Antibiotics with short stability Metoprolol Antipsychotics Opioids Furosemide Benzodiazepines Pantoprazole These medications are available in a prefilled syringe, however supply has been limited.

Article first time published on

What does continuous infusion mean?

Listen to pronunciation. (kon-TIN-yoo-us in-FYOO-zhun) The administration of a fluid into a blood vessel, usually over a prolonged period of time.

What is the difference between IV push and IV piggyback?

The syringe and piggyback will be handed to the nurse for administration. The IV push antibiotic will be administered over 2-3 minutes and the IV piggyback antibiotic will be administered over 30 minutes.

What does it mean by piggybacking?

1 : to carry up on the shoulders and back. 2 : to haul (something, such as a truck trailer) by railroad car.

What is Backpriming?

When you use the backpriming method, administration sets remain connected after you’ve infused a secondary medication, eliminating the need to repeatedly connect and disconnect the secondary set.

What are the different complications of intravenous therapy?

  1. Phlebitis. Inflammation of the vein. …
  2. Extravasation. This happens when the liquid in the IV leaks to the tissue surrounding the vein. …
  3. Air Embolism. This happens when an air bubble (or air bubbles) enters the vein. …
  4. Hypervolaemia. This is an abnormal increase in blood volume. …
  5. Infection.

What is the difference between IV push and IV infusion?

Push IV therapy is faster, taking approximately 15 minutes, whereas IV drip therapy can range from 30 to 180 minutes. Not all vitamin infusions are available as an IV push, however. Some vitamins, nutrients, and medications need to be administered more slowly to mitigate side effects, such as nausea or lightheadedness.

What is the difference between IV and IV bolus?

Unlike a standard drip IV where the fluid line is closed, an IV bolus has an open line. Consequently, the fluids enter the body at a much faster rate—in up to five minutes—than with a drip IV.

How long is a bolus infusion?

In medicine, a bolus (from Latin bolus, ball) is the administration of a discrete amount of medication, drug, or other compound within a specific time, generally 1–30 minutes, in order to raise its concentration in blood to an effective level.

Can LPN do IV piggyback?

The LPN has direct supervision per WAC 246-840-010(22) (a) or b. … (6) It is within the scope of LPN practice to perform peripheral venipuncture (to start IV or draw blood), flush peripheral, PICC and central lines for the purpose of ensuring patency if the following occurs: a.

Can you reuse IV lines?

Do not reuse syringes, needles, or IV tubing. Single-dose or single-use vials should not be used for more than one patient regardless of how much medicine is remaining.

Can you reuse IV tubing?

How do I reuse the tubing for the next dose? Change your IV tubing every 3 days. Labels will be provided to help you keep track. If the tubing has been used for 3 days, throw it away and use a new tubing for the next dose.

Can the same secondary IV tubing be used more than once?

Leave secondary IV mini-bag and tubing in place for future drug administration. Check agency policy to verify if this practice is acceptable. Repeated changes in IV tubing increase risk for infection transmission. Secondary IV tubing should be changed as per agency policy (usually every 24 hours).

What happens when you push IV meds too fast?

Too rapid administration of high doses (greater than 500 mg administered over less than 10 minutes) may precipitate hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.

How long in second is considered slow IV push?

Administration over 5 minutes or less are listed as IV push, while administration over longer durations of time (eg, over 5-10 minutes) are listed as slow IV injection; however, specific administration times are provided.

Can nurses mix medications?

The appropriately trained and competent licensed registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) may compound or reconstitute medications for a specific patient as directed by an authorized health care practitioner with prescriptive authority.

Which drug is given by continuous infusion?

Examples of continuous IV infusion medications include heparin, insulin R, and pantaprazole.

How long is a continuous infusion?

Continuous infusion: These infusions can last anywhere from 1 to several days and are controlled by electronic IV pumps.

When is continuous infusion used?

Continuous infusion should be considered in the following circumstances: children have pain for which oral and intermittent parenteral opioids do not provide satisfactory pain control; intractable vomiting prevents oral medications; IV lines are not desirable; and children would like to remain at home despite severe …

How do you give someone a piggyback?

If you give someone a piggyback, you carry them high on your back, supporting them under their knees. They give each other piggy-back rides. Piggyback is also an adverb. My father carried me up the hill, piggyback.

Where does the term piggy-back come from?

Piggyback: It started out in the sixteenth century as pick pack, carrying something on the back or shoulders. Pick is a medieval version of pitch, so it meant a load that was pitched on to a person’s back for carrying. A little later, pickpack meant a ride on somebody’s shoulders.

What is an example of a piggybacking?

Piggybacking is defined as stealing, or commandeering, a wireless connection. An example of piggybacking is using your neighbor’s connection. An illegal practice in which a broker mimics a client’s trade.