Outcome 3

Question 1

Define Phlebitis including clinical signs.

Answer 1

Inflammation of a vein
May occur due to the presence of an intravenous catheter.
Clinical signs include: erythema, pain, swelling and heat.
The catheter must be removed and replaced in a different vein

Question 2

Define Thrombosis and what care should be taken with I/V catheters to prevent it

Answer 2

Formation of a blood clot in the vessel.
It is unlikely to occur because of a catheter but care must be taken not to flush a clot back into the vein when dealing with obstructed catheters. A blood clot can be a nidus for infection or it may break off and be carried in the circulation to lodge somewhere else.

Question 3

Define extravasation?

Answer 3

This is the leakage of fluid to the tissues around the vein, colloquially known as ‘blowing’. This will be painful and may lead to damage of the vein caused by irritant drugs or hypertonic fluid entering the tissues

Question 4

Possible complications and risks of I/V catheters?

Answer 4

Phlebitis
thrombosis - rare
dislodgement 
extravasation 
occlusion
infection
venous spasm

Question 5

Define Venous spasm?

Answer 5

This is involuntary contraction of the vessel wall. It occurs if the catheter is too large or if there is a high rate of infusion through a small catheter. The rate of fluid infusion should be reduced or stopped and the catheter removed

Question 6

Most common site for peripheral intravenous catheterisation in dogs and cats?
other alternatives

Answer 6

Cephalic vein

Saphenous - two veins lateral (most common out the two) and medial (difficult to secure but good in emergancy)

Question 7

What are the complications/potential risks of using marginal ear veins in rabbits?

Answer 7

Vein damage resulting in poor peripheral circulation, necrosis and sloughing

Question 8

how often should a catheter no being used for fluid infusion be flushed ?

Answer 8

Every 4-6 hours to maintain patency and prevent a clot

Question 9

How long can a peripheral venous catheter be left in place?

Answer 9

5 days depending on cathter type and material it is made from

Question 10

Explain the care for a jugular catheters?

Answer 10

Site should be examined twice a day under aseptic conditions - sterile gloves as risk of infection being delivered into the central circulation
dressing materials replaced including new sterile swab,
repeated detachment and reattachment of connectors must be avoided as can introduce infection
flush every 4-6 hours

Question 11

If a patient has unexplained pyrexia and it is though to be caused by the catheter what should be done?

Answer 11

it should be removed and it and the hub should be sent for analysis