General Test Flashcards
When is soap and water wash best?
Visibily soiled
Or if suspect spore forming organisms (eg. Clostridium difficle)
What is intravenous therapy used for?
- correct electrolyte imbalnces
- deliver meds (also for chemo)
- blood transfusion or fluid replacement (in dehydration)
- deliver nutrients and nutritiomal supplements
Checking IV inpatients, look out for:
Inspect:
- Iv site
- solution, tubing and flow rate (not dry, speed, blood backflow)
- no kinking and traction during transfers
Ensure comfort and safety of patients
Complications of IV:
Extravasation
What is it, and what are its symptoms?
When drugs from IV leak into surrounding tissue (eg. Cannula too big)
Symptoms:
- pain, burning sensation
- swelling around IV site
Complications of IV:
Phlebitis
What is it, and what are its symptoms?
It is the inflammation of vein
(eg. Solution alkaline, high osmolarity, prolonged use of same IV site)
Symptoms:
- swelling along vein or tip of catheter
Treatment (to bring down swelling):
- elevate
- warm compress
Complications of IV:
Anaphylaxis
What is it, and what are its symptoms?
Allergy of contrast material (as little as 1ml)
Symptoms:
- Skin: itching, hives
- Tongue and lips swelling
Treatment:
- duscontinue IV
- meds
- close monitering of vital signs
Complications of IV:
Circulatory Overload
What is it, and what are its symptoms?
It is abnormal increase in blood vol
Common in: pregnant women, children, elderly, ppl with kidney probs
Symptoms:
- tachycardia (increased HR)
- cyanosis, dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Distended neck veins
Complications of IV:
Air embolism
What is it, and what are its symptoms?
Air trapped in blood vessel
IV bag can hold about 30ml of air
(can handle ~1ml air/ kg of body weight)
So Esp dangerous for those smaller body weight
Symptoms:
- Cyanosis, dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- tachycardia (increased HR)
- low BP
Why do we need surgical drains?
Prevent fluid buildup under skin (can cause ceroma)
Types of drains:
Jackson-Pratt drain
Negative pressure vacuum to aspirate fluid from surgical site (by a soft pliable tube)
Pros:
- body tissues not sucked into tube, so lower risk of bowel perforation
Types of drains:
Pigtail drain
- small lument with pigtail coil (kinda flimsy)
- drain single cavity
Pros
- self sustaining (no suture or tape)
- useful for removing fluid around lungs or abdominal organs
Cons
- easily blocked
Types of drains:
Redivac drain
Able to drain high amoint of fluid
Compress cap for drainage
Types of drains:
Penrose drain
Flexible latex tube
Gravity to pull fluid out (no collection, just all over the place LMAO, at most gauze to collect)
Safety pin to hold tube to dressing to prevent tube from slipping onto patient
Pros:
V simple
Cons:
- gauze can be colonised by bacteria (so need to change often and watched)
