Ch. 6: Dosage Calculations of IV Solutions and Drugs

Question 1

the clear cylinder of plastic attached to the IV tubing. it is filled no more than halfway so you can see the fluid dripping

Answer 1

drip chamber

Question 2

the number of drops per minute needed to make an IV solution infuse in the prescribed amount of time

Answer 2

drip rate

Question 3

the number of drops (gtts) needed to make 1 mL of IV fluid. the larger the drop, the fewer drops that are needed

Answer 3

drop factor

Question 4

how long in minutes or hours an IV infusion is ordered to run

Answer 4

duration

Question 5

condition in which an IV needle or catheter pulls from the vein and causes tissue damage by leaking irritating IV fluids into the surrounding tissue

Answer 5

extravasation

Question 6

how fast an IV infusion is prescribed to run - the number of mL delivered in 1 hour

Answer 6

flow rate

Question 7

an accidental infusion of IV fluids at a much faster rate than was ordered, causing harm to the patient. sometimes called a “runaway IV”

Answer 7

fluid overload

Question 8

to run IV fluids into the body

Answer 8

infuse (infusion)

Question 9

condition in which an IV needle or catheter pulls from the vein and begins to leak IV fluids into the surrounding tissue, resulting in tissue swelling

Answer 9

infiltration

Question 10

amount of fluids ordered

Answer 10

volume

Question 11

IV pump abbreviation for volume infused

Answer 11

VI

Question 12

IV pump abbreviation for volume to be infused

Answer 12

VTBI

Question 13

the tubing and drip chamber used to administer an IV drip

Answer 13

administration set

Question 14

what drugs are IV infusions ideal for?

Answer 14

drugs that must get into the patient’s system quickly, need to be given at a steady rate, and are controlled by the patient

Question 15

what do you need to know to understand the basics of IV fluid regulation?

Answer 15

what type of fluid should be infused, how much of the fluid should be infused, how long the fluid should be infused for, and how fast the fluid should be infused

Question 16

what should your VI and VTBI added together make?

Answer 16

the total amount of fluid that was in the bag when the fluid was first hung

Question 17

for an order to start IV therapy to be valid it must contain what?

Answer 17

the specific drug or IV solution to be infused, the dosage or volume, the duration, and the rate of infusion

Question 18

what is the difference between a controller and a pump?

Answer 18

controllers are gravity-run systems that make the IV solution infuse. pumps push the fluid into the patient at a rate greater than gravity. extravasation and infiltration are more likely to occur, and to a greater degree with a pump

Question 19

what do the signs and symptoms of an IV infection include? how long does it take you to see them?

Answer 19

redness, heat, and pain around the site. it can take up to 24 hours to see the symptoms after the infection begins

Question 20

what are some IV solutions and drugs that can damage veins?

Answer 20

hypertonic solutions, potassium chloride, antibiotics, calcium, magnesium, alcohol, vasoconstrictive drugs, and chemotherapy drugs

Question 21

what are the s/s of phlebitis?

Answer 21

pain at the site, reddened warm areas, or hard streaks that follow the vein

Question 22

what are the s/s of infiltration and possible extravasation?

Answer 22

burning or pain at the IV site, swelling, paleness of the skin, coolness or warmth around the site, lack of blood return, and leakage around the needle

Question 23

s/s of fluid overload

Answer 23

rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, bulging of the hand and neck veins, shortness of breath, coughing, and pitting edema

Question 24

what should you always use when infusing IV fluids that contain potassium?

Answer 24

controller or pump

Question 25

what should you always use for small children or infants?

Answer 25

microdrip tubing and volume-controlled IV administration sets

Question 26

how often should you assess the mental status of an older person on IV therapy?

Answer 26

every 4 hours

Question 27

how long should you apply pressure to the IV site after removing the needle

Answer 27

2-5 minutes