IV Catheters and Care

Question 1

What are IV catheters used for? How long can it be kept in the vein for?

Answer 1

For repeated administration via the intravenous route of either fluid therapy or drugs. Can be kept in for 2-21 days depending

Question 2

What are the two types of IV catheters?

Answer 2

1. Over the needle - useful in peripheral veins

2. Through the needle - useful for jugular vein

Question 3

What factors should be considered when finding a location for IV placement?

Answer 3

• Is it an emergency? - find any vein
• Hospitalisation - consider what they are being treated for .. diarrhoea? avoid saphenous!
• Chemotherapy - must be a clean placement to prevent drug going perivascular
• Anaesthesia - Place in a vein away from surgery site

Question 4

Name the parts of an over the needle catheter

Answer 4

Stylet, catheter, wing, injection port, flashback chamber and bung

Question 5

What equipment is needed for the placement of an IV catheter in a 6kg dog?

Answer 5

Clippers & size 40 blade, gauze swabs soaked in hibiscrub and 70% isopropyl alcohol, 20G catheter, 5ml syringe of heparinised saline, bung, clinipore adhesive tape, vet wrap, scissors

Question 6

What are the general guideline sizes for IV catheters?

Answer 6

Kittens/Small puppies: 24G
Adult cats/Small breed dogs: 20-22G
Medium to large breed dogs: 18-20G
Giant breed dogs: 14-16G

Question 7

What type of care is given to catheters in place?

Answer 7

• Connectors/injection ports should be swabbed
• Flush w heparinised saline regularly
• Dressing should be removed regularly with site inspected and redressed twice daily

Question 8

What is phlebitis?

Answer 8

Inflammation of the vessel wall

Question 9

What is thrombosis?

Answer 9

Blood clot in a vessel, may occur secondary to phlebitis (thrombophlebitis)

Question 10

What is catheter embolization?

Answer 10

When a fragment of a catheter breaks off and enters the circulation