Advanced Skills IV Theory (Exam One) Flashcards
What is the most commonly used infusion route?
Intravenous (IV) route
List the advantages of IV therapy.
- Instant effects
- Better control of medications
- More specific (mL/hr)
- Boluses
- Direct access to blood stream
- Able to give medications if patient is NPO
- Good for medications that cannot be absorbed via another route
List the disadvantages of IV therapy.
- Irritating substances
- Medication incompatibility
- Errors in mixing medication
- Extravasation
- Speed shock
- Chemical phlebitis
IV substance irritation usually occurs due to what?
- Lack of assessment
- Incorrect placement
What is the nurses role in relation to IV therapy?
- Assess
- Manage
- Initiate
How is competency assessed in relation to IV therapy?
Evidence-based practice
A patient complains of pain after having an IV placed. The site is without redness, swelling, and is not warm to the touch. This is considered what type of data?
Subjective
Upon assessment of a patient’s IV site, the nurse visualizes redness and swelling along with warmth and tenderness upon palpation. This is considered what type of data?
Objective
What population may be less likely to be aware of IV site complications? Why?
-Older population
- Decreased sensory perception
- Acute confusion
The nurse should __________ care for each patient.
Individualize
The nurse should provide _________ to each patient regarding IV therapy.
Education
What must the nurse know when providing medications to patients via infusion therapy?
- Antidote(s)
- Reversal agent(s)
- Physicians order
The physicians order for IV therapy will include what?
- Type of solution
- Rate of solution
- Duration of the solution
The nurse may decide what two factors when inserting an IV?
- Size of catheter
- Location of catheter insertion
The nurse will require an order from the physician to place an IV site on which body part?
Foot
What is a sentinel event?
Any event that has caused major harm to the patient
The nurse is responsible for including what information within their documentation when inserting an IV?
- Placement time
- Placement site
- Securement device
- Currently infusing
- How the patient is tolerating the IV
- IV site description
T/F: The nurse is allowed to place an IV in a patient, even if the patient is coherent and denies the IV. Explain.
- False
- Coercion of a coherent adult patient can result in the nurse being charged with assault or battery
What is the most common type of error made by nurses?
Medication error
What must the nurse do before administering a high-risk medication?
Have the medications check by another nurse (double-check)
What medications are considered high-risk or double-check medications?
- Insulin
- Blood thinners
What must the nurse know about the medication being administered prior to running or pushing the medication?
How fast to run or how slow to push the medication/solution
If infusing more than one solution, they must be what?
Compatible
What is a nonspecific immune response?
- Acquired at birth
- May function without previous exposure to antigen
What is a specific immune response?
Acquired immunity through repeated exposure to antigens
What is the body’s first line of defense against an antigen?
Intact skin
What vital sign changes will a patient exhibit if an infection is present or worsening?
- Decreased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased temperature
A decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate and temperature are considered what type of mechanism?
Second line defense mechanism
Older adults are most likely to NOT exhibit which symptom when presenting with an infection?
May not show an increase in temperature
What is the most common type of IV related sepsis?
Staph infection
List the type of patients who are immunosuppressed and most at risk for infection?
- Chemotherapy patients
- HIV patients
- Transplant patients
What are the four major concerns if a patient is considered to be immunosuppressed?
- More frequent infections
- More severe infections
- Unusual infections
- Decreased response to therapy
Define colonization.
- Growth of an organism without detection
- Person has infectious agent and does not know
Define dissemination.
- Person is shedding the organism into their environment
- Person has infectious agent and is infecting other people
What type of patient is most at risk for complications or health acquired infections?
Patient with co-morbidities
List the three sources of infusion related infections.
- Insertion site
- Cannula hub
- Contaminated fluids
Define phlebitis?
Inflammation of the vein
What size of veins are more prone to irritation?
Small veins
List the signs and symptoms of phlebitis.
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Tenderness
An elderly patient begins to display signs of phlebitis along her IV site, which was inserted this morning. The night nurse stated the patient was a hard stick at hand-off. The IV site cannot be moved to her other arm due to an intact fistula. How should the nurse treat the phlebitis?
Manage the symptoms using a warm compress
What is infiltration?
When IV fluid escapes from the vein into the surrounding tissue
Is a local or systemic infection accompanied by vital sign changes?
Systemic
Which bacteria is the most common source of infection?
Staph
Where does a local infection occur?
In one central or localized area on the body
What are the signs and symptoms of a local infection?
- Drainage from insertion site
- Erythema
- Swelling
- Pain or tenderness
Will a patient who has a local infection also display signs and symptoms of a systemic infection?
No
Describe extrinsic contamination.
Contamination that occurs during preparation or administration
Describe intrinsic contamination.
Contamination that occurs during manufacturing
List factors that contribute to contamination during infusion procedures.
- Faulty handling
- Admixtures
- Manipulation of in-use IV equipment
- Injection ports
- Additional ports
What procedure is necessary if an infusion related infection is suspected?
Obtaining a culture from the suspected source
Where should a peripheral IV end up after insertion?
In the vein
Valves of the veins are located how far apart? Can a peripheral IV catheter be inserted into a vein valve?
- Approximately every 3 in
- No
T/F: A pulse can be felt in a vein.
False, you cannot feel a pulse in a vein
When attempting to start a peripheral IV, should the nurse begin high and work down the arm or begin low and work up the arm?
Begin low and work up the arm
A nurse has attempted to insert a peripheral IV in the AC vein of a patients left arm, but was unsuccessful. A different nurse attempts to insert another peripheral IV on the same arm immediately following the unsuccessful attempt . Can the current nurse attempt to insert below the AC vein previously accessed by the first nurse?
No, the new IV must be proximal to the previous attempted IV insertion
What is the first step of a peripheral IV insertion?
Confirm the provider order
What should the nurse check the IV fluid, or solution, for, prior to starting the IV?
- Expiration date
- Clarity
- Holes or punctures of the bag
After cleaning, why does the skin need to dry completely before inserting the IV?
To avoid skin irritation
If a patient becomes anxious before or during an IV insertion what will this cause?
Vasoconstriction
List the considerations of IV site selection.
- Type of solution
- Condition of vein
- Duration of therapy
- Cannula size
- Patient age
- Patient activity
An IV may NOT be placed over what type of skin conditions?
- Rash
- Scar
An IV may NOT be placed in a patients arm if they have/had what?
- Graft
- Fistula
- Mastectomy
Why should the AC vein be avoided when choosing an IV site?
Constant manipulation and bending can cause IV to go bad
What size gauge needles are used to administer blood?
- 18 gauge
- 20 gauge
List the different methods used to dilate a vein.
- Tourniquet
- BP cuff (>30 mmHg)
- Warm compress
- Flicking vein
- Hanging dependent
What is a 16 gauge catheter used for? What color is it?
- Trauma
- Gray
What is an 18 gauge catheter used for? What color is it?
- Blood
- Pre-surgery
- Green
What is a 20 gauge catheter used for? What color is it?
- Routine and most common
- Pink
What is a 22 gauge catheter used for? What color is it?
- Pediatric or older adults
- Blue
What is a 24 gauge catheter used for? What color is it?
- Pediatric or older adults
- Yellow
What length of needle is used for IV catheter insertion?
1 inch or smaller
The catheter must be _______ than the vein.
Smaller
Larger needles are required for what type of solutions?
Caustic (irritating)
The tourniquet should be applied how many inches above the IV site?
3 to 4 inches
What type of solutions are acceptable to use for cleaning the IV site?
- Chlorhexidine gluconate
- Iodine
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
What percentage of alcohol is acceptable to use for cleaning the IV site?
70%
What is considered the first choice of cleaning solution to prep the IV site?
Chlorhexidine gluconate
What cleaning solution can NOT be used on pediatrics/infants or neonates?
Iodine
When inserting an IV, the bevel should face what direction?
Up
When is it considered safe to thread the catheter off of the needle?
When flashback is visualized (blood return is confirmed)