Midterm: Modules 1-6 Flashcards
What are 2 goals of Intravenous Therapy?
- To maintain fluid, electrolyte and energy demands when patients are limited in their intake
- To prevent or correct fluid and electrolyte disturbance from excess losses
What is a crystalloid IV solution?
Solutions that contain small molecules that flow easily across semipermeable membranes.
Distinguished by relative tonicity to plasma:
Hypertonic- higher concentration of electrolytes compared to Extracellular fluid(ECF)
Isotonic- same concentration or tonicity compared to ECF
Hypotonic – lower concentration/tonicity compared to ECF
What is a common Isotonic crystalloid IV solution?
0.9% NaCl (NS, Normal Saline Solution)
Other examples:
Lactated Ringer’s Solution (LR, Ringer’s Lactate)
5% Dextrose in water (D5W)
What is a Colloid IV solution?
They contain protein or starch that does not cross semipermeable membranes, staying only in the intravascular space
They increase osmotic pressure, which then increases the vascular volume
Can be used for a profound bloodloss
What are natural colloids(IV solution) made from?
Blood products: Albumin and plasmanate
What are artificial colloids(IV solution) made from?
Dextran, Hespan
What are some nursing assessments for Parenteral Infusion Therapy
Vital signs, skin turgor, assessing the mucous membrane, daily weight, intake and output
What is Parenteral Nutrition(PN) ?
IV nutritional support
Can be a one-bag system(Total nutrient admixture TNA) or a two-bag system(TPN) (Amino acids/dextrose and lipid emulsion)
What are the indications for the two bag system (Parenteral Nutrition) ?
GI tract is not working
Burns
What are some things to monitor with TPN (Parenteral Nutrition)
Daily weights and fluid balance
Intake and output
Serum glucose levels
For signs and symptoms of infection - change in vital signs
What is TPN preferably administered through?
Central line catheter
What does the abbreviation TBA stand for?
To be absorbed
The amount of fluid left in the bag to be infused into the patient
What does the abbreviation TKVO stand for?
To keep vein open
The infusion is dripping very slowly (10-30mL/hr) depending on the type of access
What does the abbreviation SVI stand for?
Small volume infusion
What does the abbreviation SWI stand for?
Sterile water injection
What is a bolus?
A large volume of fluid infused over a short period of time
What can affect the flow rate?
Position of the patient/extremity
Size of the catheter in the vein
Position and patency of tubing and IV site
The viscosity of the infusion fluid
Adjustment of the roller clamp (gravity only)
Height of infusion bag in relation to insertion site (gravity only)
What are some things to asses the IV system/pump for?
Appropriate infusion at the appropriate rate
Air in the line
Rate alterations
Alterations in rate due to positioning
Medication precipitation or crystallization
How often should you monitor your patient with an IV?
Hourly or more, depending on the patients status
How often is the IV site changed?
Every 72-96 hours (every 3-4 days)
How long is an IV solution bag good for?
24 hours
What is Hypodermoclysis?
Long-term administration of medications through subcutaneous route
Used for patients with limited IV access, palliative care, mild dehydration
What are contraindications for Hypodermoclysis?
The acuity of the patient, existing fluid overload, marked edema, low platelet count
What are some IV therapy complications?
Infection, Infiltration, Phlebitis, Bruising, Air Emboli, Catheter Emboli, Fluid overload
What are signs and symptoms of an IV site infection?
Warmth, redness, swelling, drainage
What is Infiltration, and what are the signs and symptoms of it?
Occurs when intravenous fluids enter the surrounding space around the venipuncture site
Signs and Symptoms: Swelling, pallor, coolness, pain
What is Extravasation, and what are the signs and symptoms of it?
Leakage of certain irritating medications such as chemotherapy that can cause blistering and other severe tissue injuries including necrosis
Signs and Symptoms: Redness, pain, blistering, tissue damage
What is Phlebitis, and what are the signs and symptoms of it?
Inflammation of the vein, caused by chemical irritation, rate of medication administration, skill
Signs and symptoms: Pain, edema, erythema, warmth over the vein, redness tracking over the vein
What is an Air Emboli, and what are the signs and symptoms of it?
Air bolus entering venous circulation, caused by Ineffectively primed lines and flushes
Signs and Symptoms: Dyspnea, tachypnea, cyanosis, tachycardia, change in LOC, cough, nausea, gasp reflex, anxiety
How should a patient be positioned if an Air Emboli is suspected/present?
Left lateral trendelenberg
What is a catheter emboli (fragmentation)?
IV catheter fragments break off and are loose in the circulation
Can cause thrombosis, arrhythmias, infection, or endocardial/vascular perforation
Why would a nurse suspect there is a catheter emboli?
Because upon removal of the catheter, a piece could be missing from it. If suspected, immediately put pressure proximal to the site and call for help
What is fluid overload (pulmonary edema), and the signs and symptoms of it?
Excessive fluid in the alveoli
Increased risk with cardiac and renal patients, pediatric and elderly population
Signs and Symptoms: Crackles, distended neck veins, dyspnea, tachypnea, pink-frothy sputum, bounding tachycardic pulse, edema
What are some patient teachings for IV therapy?
The rationale for IV therapy To notify the nursing staff if: The IV site is red and painful There is leaking around the IV site The solution is not dripping There is air in the line The solution bag is empty The infusion pump alarm is sounding The IV becomes dislodged There is blood in the IV tubing
What is the difference between the drop factor vs. drop/drip rate vs. IV rate/flow rate?
Drop factor: gtt/mL
Drop/drip rate: gtt/minute
IV rate/flow rate: mL/hr(volume/time)
What are some reasons why medication is given IV rather than other routes?
Rapid effect of the medication is required
Patient is NPO
Provides constant, therapeutic levels
Less discomfort when compared to IM and SC injections
Patients are anticoagulated
What are high alert medications?
Medications that can cause increased harm when an error is made in medication administration
Extra precautions are put in place to help avoid errors Independent double checks are needed
Ex. Insulin
Why are IV bottles used?
Because the medication is not compatible with plastics.
IV bottles require vented tubing
What is an example of a medication that requires an IV bottle?
Albumin and Propofol
Where is the mini bag placed in relation to the primary bag?
The mini bag must be higher than the primary bag
What is considered the most dangerous method of medication administration?
Direct IV (push), it is injected directly into the IV line
What information can you find on the Parental Monograph?
What the medication is and used for Routes of administration Safe doses Admin instructions Infusion rates Nursing implications (monitoring requirements and side effects)
What is the medication calculation (dose to administer) ?
Desired Dose / Dose on hand x Vehicle = dose to administer
What is the 10% rule?
If adding 10% or more fluid volume of medication to your mini-bag then that amount must be removed from the mini-bag prior to instilling the medication
What is the range of gauge sizes for IV insertion?
14 to 24
What are some assessments prior to starting an IV?
Purpose of the IV
The skin integrity of the IV site
Size and age of the patient
Bleeding disorders
Allergies
Patients preferred site and their dominant side
The solution to be infused - quantity, viscosity
Where should you first begin to try the IV site?
start in the hand and work up the limb, selecting the most distal site