IV Therapy Maintenance Flashcards
What do you look for in an IV container before administering?
Cracks, pin holes, fluid turbidity (cloudiness), particles, unusual color
How long can a primary & secondary infusion set be used for?
up to 96 hours
How often should an intermittent solution be changed?
Every 24 hours
How often is blood tubing changed?
Every 4 hours
How often should lipids & TPN be changed?
Every 24 hours
If an IV flow rate decreases or stops, what should you assess?
- The catheter insertion site (s/s of infiltration, phlebitis)
- Around the insertion site & the tubing for an obstruction
What should IV tubing NEVER touch?
The floor
If you keep disconnecting the tubing system, it should only be used for…
24 hours
How do you maintain an IV line?
- keep sterile & intact
- change contaminated site dressing
- assist patient with self care
- monitor for complications
- maintain integrity to prevent microorganisms
For a central line, what needs to be done before beginning an infusion?
X-ray!!
For someone with a midline or PICC, what is extremely important to assess for?
entire extremity and upper chest for phlebitis and thrombosis
If an implanted port is “accessed”, what should the site look like?
Sterile occlusive dressing covering the entire needle and site
What is the best way to minimize the number of times an IV system is opened?
change the fluid container and admin set at the same time
How do you remove a short peripheral catheter?
- remove the dressing while stabilizing the catheter
- slowly remove it and cover with dry gauze
- hold pressure on the site
- assess the catheter tip to make sure it’s intact & removed completely
Short peripheral catheter is flushed with…
5 mL of NS
