Venipuncture Flashcards
What is venipuncture
-Process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of administering IV therapy or drawing a blood sample
What is a straight poke
Often done by lab techs
Done to draw a blood sample
Types of Vascular Access Devices
-Intraosseus
-Short Peripheral IV catheter
-Midline Catheter
-CVAD/PICC
When is Intraosseus used
-Used in emergency situations when obtaining peripheral IV access is difficult/impossible or when delay could be life threatening
-Eg. Cardiac arrest, shock, extensive burns, major trauma
IO’s and circulation
-Reach central circulation rapidly
Sites for OS insertion
-Tibia, Femur, Humerus, Sternum
-Chosen site must be an intact bone (no fracture or crush injury because fluids could leak into tissue
-Site must have no sign of compromise (infection, decreased circulation)
Duration of OS
-Short term use only (24 hours)
-After 24 hours must replace with another vascular access device
How to insert OS
-Drill which drills needle to appropriate depth
-Manual needle that is inserted by applying pressure and twisting
-Must have special training before you attempt (advanced life support course)
Short peripheral IV catheter (winged butterfly)
-Winged butterfly needle is meant for short term use like for a straight poke
-Can stay in the vein for up to 2 hours
-It has a metal needle which is rigid so there is increased trauma and discomfort if left in vein too long
Short Peripheral IV Catheter (IV Start)
-Over the needle catheter is what would be inserted for an IV start
-Plastic cannula is over a metal styler
-Cannula is flexible and softens so it can be used long term (several days)
-IV catheters can be made out of different materials such as Teflon, polyurethane, or silicon
Safety Devices Manitoba
-Due to safety legislation in Manitoba, all needles must have a safety mechanism to prevent needle stick injuries
Passive Safety Device
-You do not need to do anything to activate the safety mechanism
-Will automatically happen
-Eg. When the metal stylet is removed from the plastic cannula, the end of the needle will automatically be covered by a safety device
Active Safety Device
-You need to do something to activate the safety mechanism like push a button
Blood Control Technology
-Some IV catheters have
-After catheter is inserting into vein, when metal stylet is removed from cannula, there is a temporary one way valve that prevents blood from coming out and allows the nurse time to connect IV extension set
-Those that DONT have require digital pressure
How we chose catheter size
-Depends on the intended use of the IV and the size of the patients vessels
-Idea is to pick smallest gauge and shortest length IV catheter that will do the job
What choosing the best catheter size means
-Takes up less space in the vein
-Leads to better flow around the catheter thereby promoting hemodilution of the fluid and reducing risk of phlebitis (vein inflammation)
Yellow catheter
24g
-infants, children, elderly
Blue catheter
22g
-Children, elderly, general infusions
Pink catheter
20g
-General infusions, blood admin
Green and grey catheter
18g, 16g
-Trauma, surgery, blood admin
Midline catheter
-For therapy 1-4 weeks
-Longer than PIV catheter (7.5-20cm)
-Inserted near the antecubital area and tip located level/near the level of axilla
-Not a CVAD because tip does not sit in the central circulation
-Can be single or double lumen
-Requires special training; inserted by same nurse who insert PICCs
IV order
-Typically providers do not write an order to insert and IV catheter
-Instead they order something to be administered by the IV route
Assessment: Allergies
-Patient should be asked if they have any allergies to latex, skin antiseptic, and tape
Assessments: Hair removal
-Nurse needs to inspect the patients arms to determine if hair removal is needed
-Never use a razor to shave hair
-Shaving causes little nicks in the skin or micro abrasions which can lead to infection
-Nurse should use a clipper to clip hair instead
Assessment: Vital Signs
-Not routinely taken before starting IV catheter
-Some patients can have a vasovagal episode which will affect their vitals (bradycardia and hypotension) which can lead to syncope
-Good to ask how patient is with needles
If patient says they get lightheaded or pass out
-Get them lying down prior to the IV start so that they are not at risk for a fall
-Having baseline VS helps to know when a patient is recovered from vasovagal episode
Assessment: Bleeding tendencies
-Patient may have medical conditions such as thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or may be on anticoagulants
Assessment: Analgesic
-Not routinely done
-May be administered in certain patient populations or circumstances
-NOT referring to an oral analgesic like Tylenol
-May be a transdermal or topical analgesic cream such as Emla (applied 60 mins before insertion) of intraddtmal anaesthetic like lidocaine to freeze skin just prior to IV insertion
Peripheral Access Site Selection Depends On
-Age, duration, & rate of therapy, type of solution, condition of veins