Intravenous Therapy Flashcards
If patient has excessive hair during the insertion if an IV what is the most appropriate thing to do?
Clip the hair w/ scissors because shaving causes micron rations that increase the risk of infection
IV catheter depend on the patient
Adult - ( 20 - 22)
Children ( 22 - 24)
If its large quantities use a large catheter such as 18 gauge
What is a saline lock also called heparin lock.
Use when a pt is not receiving a continuous infusion. Also in order to maintain patency of IV line flushing the lock w/ normal saline 5 to 10 ml before and after administering medication
What product are used to clean the site prior to initiating IV access?
Alcohol, chlorhexidine, and povidone- iodine
Always let it air dry completely
Isotonic solutions
This type of solution is infuse to replace fluid losses usually extracellular losses and to expand the intravascular volume
Hypotonic solution
Commonly infused to dilute extracellular fluid and rehydrate the cell of patients who have hypertonic fluid imbalances and to treat gastric fluid loss and dehydration from excessive value diuresis
Hypertonic solution
Infused to treat pts who have severe hyponatremia.
Extremely irritating to the veins must only be infused through a central line
Phlebitis
Is characterized by pain increased skin temperature and redness aline the vein.
It’s commonly treated by discontinuing the IV line and applying moist warm compress over the area
Infiltration
Results when the IV catheter is dislodge and fluid infuses into the tissue.
It’s characterized by edema, pallor, decreased skin temperature and pain.
Also skin blanching
Extravasation
Describes the situation when the IV becomes dislodge and medication infuses into the tissue
What are the risk of removing a IV catheter
Once remove if the tip broke off in the vein has a potential to cause embolus
How long can IV solution be used
Hang lipid containing solutions no longer than 24 hrs
Hang lipid only emulsions for no longer than 12 hrs
Hang blood and blood products for no longer than 4 hrs
Fluids should not hang no longer than 24 hrs
Changing IV tubing no more than at 72 hrs intervale
What are the best ways to prevent bubbles out of an infusion?
The best way is to prevent it.
How high above the IV site should I hang the IV fluid bag?
For optimal flow rate position the IV bag 36 inches above the IV site
Why can’t I use an alcohol pad at the site when I discontinue an IV infusion?
Alcohol will sting when it enters the open wound it will also cause vasodilation and increase post removal bleeding
