Lab 3: IV Insertion Flashcards
what techniques can be used to improve the visibility of the vein & increase the likelihood of a successful puncture
- tourniquet
- use of gravity
- pt open and clench their fist a few times
- light tapping/rubbing of the vessel
- heat application
how does a tourniquet cause vein enhancement
- traps blood in the extremity = vein dilates
what is a helpful tip regarding using a tourniquet (3)
- if having difficulty, use a double tourniquet
- or manual BP inflated to just below the pts diastolic pressure & maintained at that pressure until insertion complete
- or move tourniquet closer to insertion site
how far above should the tourniquet be to the insertion site of a PIV
- at least 6”
how can you use gravity to cause vein enhancement
- lower the extremity below the lvl of the heart to promote venous pooling
how does light tapping/rubbing of the vein promote vein enhancement
- gentle rubbing w an antiseptic swab will cause blood to fill & dilate the vein
what options are available to use heat to promote vein enhancement
- dry and moist heat
what care must be taken when using heat to promote vein enhancement
- avoid excessive temperature that can burn the extremity
describe how to use heat to promote vein enhancement
- apply for approx 2-5 min (longer if necessary but no longer than 15 mn)
- reassess often (esp with older adults)
what is the preferred method for dry heat
- warm blanket
what is the preferred method for moist heat
- wash cloth dampened w warm water, placed on limb, and covered w a towel
what are factors that can affect vein enhancement
- bp (high or low)
- cold
- shock
- sclerotic veins
- dehydration
- anxiety/apprehension
- tourniquet application too tight or lose
what impact does cold and shock have on vein enhancement
- causes vasoconstriction
what impact do sclerotic veins have on vein enhancement
= loss of elasticity
what impact does dehydration have on vein enhancement
= flattened veins
what impact does anxiety/aprehension have on veins
= vasoconstriction
when should peripheral IV catheters be changed
- only when clinically indicated
what are clinical indications for change of peripheral IV (10)
- pain
- redness
- multiple downstream occlusion alarms w no visible cause
- whenever there is suspicion of contamination
- swelling
- inability to flush and/or infuse w ease
- induration
- sclerosing of vessel
- discharge
- leaking site
what should you avoid when picking PIV site selection (8)
- areas of flexion and extension
- areas of skin breakdown, disease, bruising, and inflammation
- scleoritc veins
- highly visual veins (tend to roll)
- veins damaged by previous use (phlebitis, infiltration)
- knotted or tortuous veins
- arm with an AV firstula
- veins in an extremity that is edematous, compromised, or injured
what is the first choice for PIV site selection
- dorsal and ventral forearm
why is the forearm the first choice for PIV site selection
- veins are longer & straighter
- ulna and radial bones provide natural splinting = permit pt freedome of arm movement and ability to participate in ADLs
how far above the wrist should forearm PIVs be and why?
- 2-3 finger breadths
- to avoid nerve injury
what should you assess first prior to IV placement
- assess distally first
- assess vessel condition (palpate and visual)
what is the second choice for PIV site selection
- dorsal portion of hand
what should you avoid in a PIV of the dorsal portion of hand
- the thumb
what is the 3rd choice for PIV site selection
- antecubital area
what is imp for placement of a PIV in the antecubital area
- try for 2 fingers width below or above