IV Therapy Flashcards
Purpose of IV Therapy
- maintain fluid, electrolyte and energy demands
- prevent fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- administer blood and blood products
- administer total parenteral nutrition
- administer prescribed IV medications (i.e. antibiotics)
- to have venous access in case of emergency (KVO-keep vein open)
Nursing Responsibilities (IV)
a. assess need for IV therapy
b. assess IV site
c. assess/maintain prescribed IV flow rate
d. assess patient response to IV therapy
e. prevent complications associated with IV therapy
Signs and Symptoms of Fluid volume deficit (FVD)
- loss > 2.2 lbs in 24 hr
- decreased b/p
- tachycardia
- slow cap refill
- dry skin and mucous membranes
- decreased skin turgor
- thirst (late sign)
- decreased urine output
- confusion/restlessness (very late sign)
Signs and Symptoms of Fluid volume excess (FVE)
- gain < 2.2lbs in 24 hr
- bound pulse
- distended neck veins
- abnormal lung sounds (crackles)
- edema
Vascular Access Devices
a. Peripheral Vascular Access Devices (PVADs)
SHORT TERM USE
b. Central Vascular Access Devices (CVADs)
LONG TERM USE
1. central venous catheters
- meds that irritate veins, i.e. chemotherapy
- poor peripheral veins
- large volume of fluids
- emergency
2. Implanted infusion ports
- implanted underneath skin
3. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)
- through peripheral vein and through to the vena cava
Equipment
a. IV cannulas (16G, 18G, 20G, 22G, 24G)
b. tourniquet
c. gloves
d. antiseptic swabs
e. IV dressing (transparent occlusive)
Common Peripheral IV sites
median cubital, cephalic (hand), great saphenous vein (foot)
- choose non-dominant hand
- most distal site possible in case vein punctures
- feet in infant and children only
- feet in adult may cause clot or venous return issues
- avoid anywhere with infection or thrombosis
- 70% alcohol or chlorhexidine to clean site
Changing an IV dressing
- change as per organizational policy
- hand hygiene
- apply gloves
- be careful not to dislodge catheter when removing old dressing
- assess IV site
- clean site in circular motion
Considerations in Older Persons
- use smaller gauge needle (22-24g)
- choose site that does not interfere with ADLs
- use minimal tourniquet pressure
- lower angle of insertion
- apply traction to skin below insertion site
- use protective device
IV Fluids
Crystalloids
- contains solutes that mix, dissolve and cross semi-permeable membranes, smaller molecule
a. NaCl
b. Dextrose
c. Lactated ringer’s
Colloids
- contain proteins or starch that do not cross semi-permeable membranes, remain in extracellular space/intravascular fluid
- increase vascular volume
a. blood
b. plasma proteins
c. pentastarch
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- nutritionally adequate solution
a. glucose
b. nutrients
c. other electrolytes
Crystalloid IV Solutions
Isotonic
- same osmolarity as blood
- expands fluid volume without fluid shift between compartments
i. e. normal saline (0.9%), dextrose 5% in water (D5W), LR
uses: increase or replace vascular volume from vomiting, diarrhea
Hypotonic
- lower osmotic pressure
- moves fluid into cells, causing them to enlarge, hydrates the cell
i. e. 0.45% NS, 0.225% NS
uses: cellular dehydration (risk: hypovolemia, hypotension)
Hypertonic
- higher solute concentration
- pulls fluid out of cells, causing them to shrink
i. e. D10W, 3-5% NS, D5LR
uses: cerebral edema, severe hyponatremia
Body fluids
Intracellular fluid
- fluid within the cells
0 60% of body fluids
Extracellular fluid
- fluid outside of cells
a. interstitial (between cells and outside vessels)
b. intravascular (blood plasma)
c. transcellular (cerebrospinal fluid, peritonea, synovial and GI tract)
Common Additives
- potassium chloride KCl (red writing) always runs through infusion bump, never directly inserted used to treat vomiting, diarrhea can result in death - multivitamins (banana bag)
IV Tubing
Macrodrip - 10 or 15 gtts/mL
Microdrop - 60 gtts/mL
- a lot more precise!
- critical care and peds
Buretrols
volume control device, reduces risk of an increased volume being infused
Regulating IV Flow Rate
- manual regulation using roller clamp
- electronic infusion devices (EIDs) - infusion bumps
(Infusion volume x drop factor)/time in minutes = gtt/min
Follow rounding principle
*unless solution needs to be infused especially slowly, then round down
Factors influencing flow rate
- patency of IV catheter
- patency of IV tubing
- height of solution
- restrictive IV dressing
- position of extremity
- infiltration (solution goes into surrounding tissue and not vein itself)