What do you do when an i.v pump says "air in line" ?

Question

Do you have to restart it? is there a switch for it?

Answer 1

You have to examine the line and the manifold to determine if indeed there is air in the line. Each pump is slightly different, but it is not an automatic reset sort of thing.

Addendum: I am voting for Pangolin. I had forgotten about the cursing step. I also like it when you have an audience -- patient, family, etc. all of whom think they can help fix it.

Answer 2

I have nothing to add to the preceding good answers, but I did just want to offer my appreciation for Pangolin's not only correct but truly factual answer.  :)

Answer 3

1.  Remove tubing from pump.

2.  Tap bit where it fits into pump to move air.

3.  Replace tubing and restart pump.

4.  Silence alarm.

5.  Curse.

6.  Repeat from step one, increasing frequency and intensity of cursing until air moves enough so that pump stops alarming.

7.  Restart pump.