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IV Therapy

Maintenance Therapy for Peripheral IV’s
 Verify that the correct solution is hanging
 Verify that the rate is correct
 Assess amount left, availability of solution
 Change the IV bag at least every 24 hours (label)
 Change primary & secondary IV tubing along with caps
  every 96 hours (label)
 Mark IV tubing for change using appropriate label
 Change peripheral IV sites every 96 hours
 Mark all peripheral IV sites with start date
IV Therapy (continued)

When choosing an IV site:
 Start with the distal veins of the hand and work up
 Avoid the antecubital site because it interferes with blood sampling
 Choose site free of abrasions, inflammation, and lesions
 Be considerate of patient's comfort/mobility (use nondominant arm)
 Longer and larger veins will better dilute infusions
 Start an 18 gauge if possibility of patient going to surgery or
  receiving blood
IV Therapy (continued)

Lidocaine use for IV starts:
Lidocaine is not routinely used when starting IV’s
It is used however if a patient requests it or if the nurse feels
it will relieve the patient’s anxiety related to the IV start
The registered nurse uses topical EMLA or injects 0.2 ml of
plain 1% Lidocaine (not to exceed 1 ml intradermally) at a
peripheral intravenous site prior to insertion of the
intravenous catheter as directed by the ordering physician
Lidocaine is administered with a doctor’s order when the IV
insertion is expected to be difficult, when the patient is
anxious, and/or when the patient requests anesthesia prior to
IV insertion
IV Therapy (Reminders)
Documentation
 Document location, number of attempts, size of cathlon and
  confirmation of patency (positive blood return, successful saline
  flush)
Do not withdraw needle from catheter hub before pressing the
white button
Needle should be retracted prior to disposal in a      puncture-
resistant, leak-proof container
Never reinsert needle into the catheter as this could shear the
catheter
Do not use scissors at or near the insertion site
IV Therapy (Tips for Success)
Site Prep – always prep site using the chlorascrub inside the
start kit. If first attempt unsuccessful obtain another single
chlorascrub to prep new site.
   Insertion Success
     • slow down the speed of insertion - use less force to penetrate
       the skin
     • lower the initial insertion angle keeping the elbow low
   Feeling the “pop” (pop causes damage to the vein - flash is a
    better indicator)
     • slowing the approach allows the flash to catch up
   Seeing the flash
     • Trust your instinct and take a pause - look for the flash
       behind the spring
     • The initial flash may be seen along the cathlon
IV Therapy (Tips for Success)
Threading with ease
 After flash, lower the angle and advance 1/8 inch
 Retract the Needle
 Rotating the barrel 360 ensuring cathlon seal is broken
 Release tourniquet before pressing the button
 Do not activation before it’s time (be aware of where your
  fingers are)
 Remove needle cover in a straight, outward motion

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Iv therapy

  • 1. IV Therapy Maintenance Therapy for Peripheral IV’s  Verify that the correct solution is hanging  Verify that the rate is correct  Assess amount left, availability of solution  Change the IV bag at least every 24 hours (label)  Change primary & secondary IV tubing along with caps every 96 hours (label)  Mark IV tubing for change using appropriate label  Change peripheral IV sites every 96 hours  Mark all peripheral IV sites with start date
  • 2. IV Therapy (continued) When choosing an IV site:  Start with the distal veins of the hand and work up  Avoid the antecubital site because it interferes with blood sampling  Choose site free of abrasions, inflammation, and lesions  Be considerate of patient's comfort/mobility (use nondominant arm)  Longer and larger veins will better dilute infusions  Start an 18 gauge if possibility of patient going to surgery or receiving blood
  • 3. IV Therapy (continued) Lidocaine use for IV starts: Lidocaine is not routinely used when starting IV’s It is used however if a patient requests it or if the nurse feels it will relieve the patient’s anxiety related to the IV start The registered nurse uses topical EMLA or injects 0.2 ml of plain 1% Lidocaine (not to exceed 1 ml intradermally) at a peripheral intravenous site prior to insertion of the intravenous catheter as directed by the ordering physician Lidocaine is administered with a doctor’s order when the IV insertion is expected to be difficult, when the patient is anxious, and/or when the patient requests anesthesia prior to IV insertion
  • 4. IV Therapy (Reminders) Documentation  Document location, number of attempts, size of cathlon and confirmation of patency (positive blood return, successful saline flush) Do not withdraw needle from catheter hub before pressing the white button Needle should be retracted prior to disposal in a puncture- resistant, leak-proof container Never reinsert needle into the catheter as this could shear the catheter Do not use scissors at or near the insertion site
  • 5. IV Therapy (Tips for Success) Site Prep – always prep site using the chlorascrub inside the start kit. If first attempt unsuccessful obtain another single chlorascrub to prep new site.  Insertion Success • slow down the speed of insertion - use less force to penetrate the skin • lower the initial insertion angle keeping the elbow low  Feeling the “pop” (pop causes damage to the vein - flash is a better indicator) • slowing the approach allows the flash to catch up  Seeing the flash • Trust your instinct and take a pause - look for the flash behind the spring • The initial flash may be seen along the cathlon
  • 6. IV Therapy (Tips for Success) Threading with ease  After flash, lower the angle and advance 1/8 inch  Retract the Needle  Rotating the barrel 360 ensuring cathlon seal is broken  Release tourniquet before pressing the button  Do not activation before it’s time (be aware of where your fingers are)  Remove needle cover in a straight, outward motion