IV Catheters

Question 1

What is a blood catheter?

Answer 1

Small flexible tube placed into the blood vessel of a patient.

Question 2

Name the parts:
- Flashback chamber
- Plug
- Needle
- Hub
- Cannula

Answer 2

Question 3

Three common sites of IVC placement

Answer 3

1. Cephalic vein
2. Lateral saphenous vein
3. Jugular vein

Question 4

Equipment needed for IVC placement (8)

Answer 4

1. Electric razor #40 or #50 blade
2. Surgical scrub
3. Appropriately sized IVC
4. Dry gauze
5. Narrow adhesive tape
6. Infusion plug
7. Heparinized saline flush
8. External wrap (ex: vet wrap)

Question 5

Catheter placement steps (1-7)

Answer 5

1. Widely shave site
2. Utilize standard Sx scrub tech to clean skin
3. Flush catheter with heparinized saline
4. Occlude vessel
5. Insert cannula needle placed in line with the vein (20-30 degree angle) with bevel up
6. Once flash is observed, advance the catheter until hub touches the skin.
7. Immediately insert T-piece, infusion plug, or administration set.

Question 6

Why do we use heparinized saline solution for flushing IVC?
How much should be used in 0.9% saline?

Answer 6

1. Prevents blood clots within the catheter lumen.
2. 1 unit of heparin per mL of saline solution

Question 7

Catheter placement (8-11)

Answer 7

8. Catheter is flushed with hepatized saline & vein is examined.
   - Flow should be easy
   - Aspiration back yields blood
   - No fluid accumulation under the skin
9. Carefully dry area of any blood. Place butterflied narrow tape on hub then around the limb.
10. Apply additional layers of bandage material (gauze then vet wrap).
11. Protect catheter with leg shields, bitter sprays, or E-collars as needed.

Question 8

Surgical support IV fluids are given at ___ rates to maintain patient ___ ___.
So, the fluids should not contain ___. If the IV fluids do, this can cause serious ___ to occur.

Answer 8

1. High
2. Blood pressure
3. Potassium
4. Arrythmias

Question 9

Name the parts

Answer 9

Question 10

IVC maintenance on fluids
Every 1 hour: (3)
Every 6 hours: (3)

Answer 10

1. Every hour:
   - Check fluid delivery rate matches patient orders
   - Visually inspect paw & proximal leg for swelling/extravasation
   - Rewrap & replace wet or dirty bandage material
2. Every 6hrs:
   - Flush IVC with heparinized saline if no fluids being given
   - Inspect for swelling or self-trauma
   - Check body temp
   - If new fever: Contact DVM; prep to remove & cult catheter; place new sterile catheter.

Question 11

Swelling proximal to catheter site means…
Swelling distal to catheter site means…

Answer 11

1. Accumulation of fluids in SQ tissue
2. Wrap is too tight and must be loosened

Question 12

IVC Maintenance
Every 24 hours: (2)
Every 3 days: (1)

Answer 12

1. Every 24hrs:
   - Change bandage material down to the skin & inspect catheter site for signs of problems
   - Change catheter if signs of phlebitis/infection/thrombosis
2. Every 3d:
   - Change to new IVC unless otherwise directed by DVM

Question 13

Phlebitis means…
Thrombophlebitis is…

Answer 13

1. Inflammation of a vein
   - L image is phlebitis ?
2. Inflammation of a vessel with clot formation
   - R image is thrombophlebitis

Question 14

What are three adverse effects of IVC? (7)

Answer 14

1. Hematoma at IVC site
2. Phlebitis/Thrombophlebitis
3. Infection at site
4. Fever due to bacteria into bloodstream
5. Blood clot forced into circulation (v bad!!)
6. Piece of catheter enters circulation
7. Failure to deliver Rx or fluids into vein

Question 15

What are the intended uses of a blood IVC? (3)

Answer 15

1. Administration of medication or fluids
2. Blood collection
3. Blood pressure monitoring