9.2 Pharmacology for the Radiographer Flashcards
RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL PARENTERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION (1)
- All equipment that penetrates the skin including needles, syringes, and the drug itself must be
sterile. - The patient must be correctly identified.
- The procedure is explained to the patient and the medication (including contrast media) to be
administered is identified. - If the patient refuses the drug, document the refusal. Do not insist that the patient accept the drug.
- The skin at the injection site is cleansed with an antiseptic solution until it is as free of
microorganisms as possible. - The antiseptic chosen will be dictated by the institution in which you are employed. Alcohol-based
preparations are commonly used as many people are allergic to povidone-iodine preparations
RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL PARENTERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION (2)
- All persons administering parenteral drugs must wear gloves during the procedure to prevent expo
sure to blood. - There must be a physician’s order for all drugs to be administered. This includes contrast media.
- The five rights of drug administration must be followed.
- The drug administered must be documented according to the policy of the department.
- The patient must be observed closely for 1 hour following drug administration for adverse or
allergic reactions. - A patient who has had a sedative, tranquilizing, hypnotic drug may NOT drive him or hers home.
part that attaches to the syringe
Hub
Needles are made of
stainless steel
elongated part of the needle
Shaft
hollow tube that runs the length of the shaft
Lumen
sharp angulated tip of the needle
Bevel
The _____ the lumen, the _____ the gauge of the needle
smaller, larger
30-gauge needle is much _____ than a 12-gauge needle
smaller
The _____ of the fluid to be injected
determines the gauge selected
viscosity
The area for injection and the condition of the patient determine the
_____ chosen
length of needle
Syringes also vary in size depending on
the amount of fluid to be injected and Generally range in capacity from _____
1 to 50 mL
end of the syringe to which
the needle is fastened
tip
body
barrel
part that fits into the barrel
plunger
are packaged in treated
paper or plastic wrappers to maintain
sterility, and needles are often
attached in the package
Syringes
The size of the syringe and the size of
the needle are printed on the _____
package
The 3 Basic Principles of Needle and Syringe Sizing
- Needle Gauge
- Syringe Size
- Needle Length
syringe capacity measurement for liquid volume
milliliters (mL)
syringe capacity measurement for solid volume
cubic centimeter (cc)
1 cc is equal to
1 mL
are a
serious consequence of incorrect
handling of injection supplies
Needle-stick injuries
is the only method by which
radiographers may administer
contrast media parenterally
peripheral intravenous route
Designated amount of a drug that is administered at one time,
usually over a period of several minutes
Bolus
Usually refers to a larger amount of a drug, a
fluid, or fluid containing a drug or electrolytes
that is administered over a longer period of
time ranging from hours to days
Infusion
Contrast Agents may be given by ____,
Both methods require venipuncture: each
requires different equipment
Bolus or Infusion
Things to consider when selecting a
venipuncture site:
- Type of Contrast
- Length of Time for the Infusion or Bolus
- Age
- Physical Condition
Veins in the hands and arms should be selected rather than those in the
_____ unless necessary
lower extremities
Greater hazard of embolus
formation related to IV infusion
lower extremities
Unless a drug is to be injected by bolus, do not select a vein located
over a ____, because any
movement will dislodge the needle or catheter
joint
If a vein over a joint is selected, the extremity will need to be _____
immobilized
Venipuncture steps (1)
- Approach the patient, identify him, and assess for latex or iodine allergies. Explain the procedure
and answer any questions he may have. - Wash your hands.
- Secure the tourniquet over the site selected in such a manner that it can be removed by pulling on
one end. - Instruct the patient to make two or three tight fists to force more blood into the veins to make
them more visible. - Put on clean gloves. Gloves need not be sterile; however, all other equipment used that cleans or
penetrates the skin must be sterile.
Venipuncture steps (2)
- Cleanse the area for the venipuncture using firm strokes from center of site to outside. Do
this at least three times using a separate swab each time. Allow the area to dry. - Hold the skin taut above or below the insertion site. Insert the needle or catheter bevel side
up into the vein. - When the needle enters the vein, blood returns into the flashback chamber immediately. If
no blood returns, the venipuncture was not successful.
If this is the case, remove the needle and obtain a new needle to start the IV and select a new site.
Apply pressure to the failed area with a sterile gauze pad until bleeding stops.
If the second effort fails, call a member of the IV team or an anesthesiologist to start the IV
Venipuncture steps (3)
- If blood returns, release the tourniquet, instruct the patient to relax his hand, thread the
needle is to 1/4 inch further into the vein, and connect the syringe containing the contrast
agent if a bolus is ordered.
If an infusion is started, remove the needle from the catheter, thread the catheter into the
vein, and connect the IV tubing.
Secure the catheter with narrow nonallergenic tape and/or a transparent dressing. - A bolus is administered at the rate ordered. An infusion is begun at the rate ordered by
the
physician. - Document the procedure including the time the IV was started and the contrast agent
injected. The radiographer must sign his documentation.
The infusion site must be assessed
every _____ to be certain that
the contrast agent is not infiltrating
into the surrounding tissues
30 minutes
IV stand must be positioned _____ above the injection site
18 to 24 inches
