IV catheters

Question 1

purpose of IV catheters

Answer 1

used to administer various therapeutic materials and to collect diagnostic samples
IVC decreases the amount of trauma by decreasing repeated pokes

Question 2

PPE for catheter placement

Answer 2

wash hands before and after
use appropriate PPE to setting (will be mainly just gloves)
be aware of chemo/contagious patients (wear gloves)
also wear gloves for trauma patients

Question 3

supplies needed for catheter placement

Answer 3

3-6 mL syringe, clippers (#40 blade), chlorohexidine scrub (2%) or Betadine, 70% Isopropyl alcohol, IVC, T-port or injection cap, porous tape

Question 4

parts of the IVC

Answer 4

stylet: needle part that goes into sharps container afterwards
catheter: white flexible part that is sheathed around the stylet
filter, case, and case cap

Question 5

what size catheter should you use?

Answer 5

pediatric/toy breeds: 24 or 22 G by 1 inch long needle
cats/small breeds: 22 or 20 G by 1 inch long catheter
medium breeds: 20 or 18 G by 1-1 1/2 inch long catheter

Question 6

what sites can be used to place a catheter?

Answer 6

dog: cephalic (accessory cephalic can also be used), lateral saphenous
cat: cephalic, femoral

Question 7

step 1 of putting in a catheter

Answer 7

prepare the site
restraint: sternal or lateral recumbency

Question 8

step 2 of putting in a catheter

Answer 8

clip hair over the site
use #40 blade
ensure no hair is where the IVC will lay
for long-haired dogs and cats: clip entire circumference of limb

Question 9

step 3 of putting in a catheter

Answer 9

prep site
aseptically prep alternating between chlorohexidine scrub and alcohol
minimal of 3 alterations
don’t touch site after prepping

Question 10

step 4 of putting in a catheter

Answer 10

putting the catheter in
assistant occludes vein or tightens tourniquet
pull skin taught
insert IVC with bevel up at a slight angle into the vein
observe for blood in hub
once you see blood stop advancing IVC
flick catheter off stylet with finger to advance catheter into vein
remove stylet and cap catheter with T-port or injection cap

Question 11

step 5 of putting in a catheter

Answer 11

use 1/2 inch piece of tape, place adhesive side up on the underside of the catheter hub with a tag ~1.5cm to left side of IVC, fold tag over hub and continue around limb
2nd piece of tape: 1 inch with adhesive side down snuggly under the IVC hub to the point where IVC enters skin, tag the end, wrap distal to catheter under the IVC hub wrapping around the leg to continue proximally over IVC hub
flush with saline and palpate vein just proximal to IVC while flushing

Question 12

possible complications of catheters

Answer 12

hematoma at IVC site, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, infection at site, severance of a portion of the IVC in the vein

Question 13

phlebitis

Answer 13

inflammation of a vein