Midterm Flashcards
Accountability
- Professionally responsible
- Answerable for one’s actions, inactions, decisions and judgments
- Accountability for: what is ordered, why is it indicated, the intended impact on the patient,possible side effects or adverse reactions, prep of patient
Ethics
- Infusion nurses both individually and collectively practice with awareness, and that there are principles that guide the infusion nurse’s actions.
Ethical and moral decision making are based on the following?
- Autonomy (right to self determination, independence)
- Beneficence (doing good for patients)
- Nonmaleficence (doing no harm to patients)
- Veracity (truthfulness)
- Fidelity (obligation to be faithful)
- Justice (obligation to be fair to all people)
Legal implications related to IV therapy?
- A nurse has a legal obligation to provide a standard of patient care expected of a reasonably competent professional nurse.
- Professional nurses are held responsible (liable) for harm resulting from their negligent acts or their failure to act.
What are the gauges available in peripheral IV catheters?
24- yellow (peds) 22- blue (peds, adults) 20- pink (adults) 18- green (adults) 16- gray (adults) 14- orange (trauma)
What is the most appropriate gauge IV catheter for most situations?
18-20 gauge
Micro drip set (describe)?
60 drops/mL
Slow volume infusions
Rate below 50 mL/hr
Rates ordered at 50 to 75 mL/hr, can use either micro or macro drop tubing.
Macro drip set (describe)?
10,15, or 20 drops/mL
Large volume quickly, rates above 75 mL/hr,
Rates ordered at 50 to 75 mL/hr, can use either micro or macro drop tubing.
Venous spasm
A sudden, involuntary contraction of a vein or an artery resulting in temporary cessation of blood flow through a vessel. (local complication)
Causes of a venous spasm?
Cold solution Dextrose >12.5% Infusates with high or low pH Diazepam (Valium) Nafcillin sodium (Nafcil, Unipen) Phenytoin (Dilantin) Pottassium chloride Propofol (Diprivan) Vancomycin hydrochloride
Signs and symptoms of venous spasm?
Sharp pain at IV site that travels up the arm.
Slowing of the infusion.
Prevention of venous spasms?
Dilute the medication additive adequately.
Keep the IV solution at room temp when appropriate.
Deliver the solution at the prescribed rate.
Use a fluid warmer for rapid transfusions.
Allow to reach room temp before admin.
Treatment of venous spasm?
Apply warm compresses.
If spasm is not relieved, remove catheter, and restart with a new cannula.
Infiltration
The inadvertent administration of a nonvesicant solution into surrounding tissue. Occurs from the dislodgment of the cannula from the intima of a vein. Can also be caused from phlebitis. (local complication)
Causes of infiltration?
Puncture of the distal vein wall during venipuncture.
Puncture of any portion of the vein wall by mechanical friction from the catheter or needle.
Dislodgment of the catheter or needle from the intima of the vein.
Poorly secured infusion device.
High delivery rate or pressure (psi) from an electronic infusion device.
Over-manipulation of an IV device.
Signs and symptoms of infiltration?
Coolness of skin around site.
Taut skin.
Edema at, above, or below the insertion site.
Absence of blood back flow.
A “pinkish” blood return.
Infusion rate slows but the fluid continues to infuse.
Prevention of infiltration?
Avoid areas of joint flexion.
Do not use veins that have had previous punctures or veins that are very fragile.
Choose the smallest IV catheter that will safely deliver the infusion.
Stabalize catheter.
Treatment of infiltration?
Warm or cold compresses.
Elevate if it doesn’t cause pain.
Report to physician.
Extravasation
The inadvertent administration of a vesicant solution into surrounding tissue. (local complication)
Causes of extravasation?
Puncture of the distal vein wall during venipuncture.
Puncture of any portion of the vein wall by mechanical friction from the catheter or needle.
Dislodgment of the catheter or needle form the intima of the vein.
Poorly stabilized infusion device.
High delivery rate or pressure from an electronic pump.
Signs and symptoms of extravasation?
Complaints of pain, tenderness, or discomfort.
Edema at, above, or below insertion site.
Blanching of the area around the insertion site.
Change in temp of the skin at site.
Burning at the insertion site or along venous pathway.
Feeling of tightness below the site.
Slow or stopped infusion.
Treatment of extravasation?
Stop the IV flow; attach an empty 3 to 5 mL syringe and attempt to aspirate fluid from the catheter lumen.
Contact the physician.
Warm compresses and cold compresses.
Elevate arm.
Phlebitis
An inflammation of the vein. (local complication)
Causes of phlebitis?
Catheter material. Large bore catheter. Duration of cannula placement (more than 4 days). Frequent dressing changes. Not using aseptic technique.
Signs and symptoms of phlebitis?
Redness at the site. Site warm to touch. Local swelling. Palpable cord along vein. Sluggish infusion rate. Increase in basal temp.
Prevention of phlebitis?
Choose the smallest cannula appropriate for infusate.
Rotate site every 72-96 hrs.
Stabilize catheter.
Use aseptic techniques.
Prevention of extravasation?
Should have knowledge of vesicants.
Should use a pic line or port for patients with small or fragile veins.
Avoiding using the veins in the hands.
Treatment of phlebitis?
Discontinue the infusion.
Warm or cold compresses.
Notify physician.
Thrombophlebitis
A painful inflamed vein promptly develops from the pint of thrombosis. (local complication)
Causes of thrombophlebitis?
Use of veins in the legs for infusion therapy.
Use of hypertonic or highly acidic infusion solutions.
Not using aseptic techniques.
Signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis?
Sluggish flow rate. Edema in the limbs Tender and cordlike vein. Site warm to touch. Visible redline above venipuncture site.
Prevention of thrombophlebitis?
Use veins in the forearm. Do not use veins in joint flexion areas. Monitor sight at least every 4 hrs. Anchor cannula securely. Infuse solutions at the prescribed rate. Use the smallest catheter that meets the needs. Dilute irritating medications.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis?
Remove entire IV catheter and restart with new equipment in opposite extremity.
Consult physician.
Apply warm, moist compresses.
Hematoma
Formation resulting from the infiltration of blood into the tissues at the venipuncture site. (local complication)
Causes of hematoma?
Cannula passes through the distal vein wall.
Opening of the flow clamp for the infusion before the tourniquet is removed.
Too large of a cannula.
Signs and symptoms of hematoma?
Discoloration of skin.
Site swelling and discomfort.
Inability to advance the cannula all the way into the vein during insertion.
Resistance to positive pressure during the lock flushing procedure.
Prevention of hematoma?
Apply the tourniquet just before venipuncture.
Be very gentle when performing venipuncture.
Treatment of hematoma?
Apply direct light pressure over site after removal for 2 to 3 min.
Elevate extremity.
Apply ice.
Peripheral thrombosis
A blood clot forms in the vein and occludes the circulation of blood. (local complication)