Insertion Techniques
Sites that should be avoided for routine PIV placement.
Areas of flexion (wrist, anticubital) , area of cellulitis, skin irritation, hands.
The minimum PPE required for PIV insertion.
What are gloves?
Avoid touching key parts (catheter, needle tip, connection sites).
What is aseptic no-touch technique (ANTT)?
Per UVMMC policy, this is how often a PIV site should be assessed.
What is every 4 hours and before and after each use?
Apply traction to the skin below the insertion site to anchor the vein.
How can you stabilize a vein to prevent "rolling" during insertion?
Angle the needle should be during initial puncture.
What is 15-30°?
The benefit of using an IV start kit.
What is, it contains most of the supplies needed, so the only items you typically need to add are the needle and gloves? This helps maintain efficiency and asepsis.
The minimum scrub time for skin antisepsis. with 2-3% chlorhexidine & 70% alcohol.
What is 30 seconds?
The recommended technique for flushing a PIV.
What is pulsatile (push-pause) technique with 0.9% saline?
The best practice for securing a PIV to reduce dislodgement.
What is use a sterile securement dressing or stabilization device?
The preferred site for PIV placement.
What is the forearm? Easy to stabilize and low complication risk.
The preferred antiseptic used for skin prep.
What is 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol?
The minimum scrub time for needleless connector prior to accessing a PIV.
What is 15 seconds?
A PIV should be removed at this time.
What is when clinically indicated, signs of infection, infiltration/extravasation, or no longer needed?
The best way to confirm patency before giving medications.
What is flush with normal saline and assess for resistance, swelling, or pain?
The best way to minimize pain and anxiety during PIV insertion?
What are good communication skills, appropriate vein selection, and consider topical anesthetic or distraction methods.
True or False: The larger the catheter number, the larger the gauge (diameter) of the needle.
What is False? The larger the catheter number, the smaller the gauge. For example, a 24-gauge is smaller than an 18-gauge needle.
A key component to preventing cross-contamination and maintain asepsis?
What is hand hygiene?
Timeframe PIV dressings are changed.
What is every 7 days or when clinically indicated?
Two key strategies to prevent PIV-related complications.
What is aseptic no-touch technique and remove PIVs when no longer clinically indicated?
The number of attempts one clinician can have when insertion a PIV.
What is 2?
This PIV catheter is manufactured to be used for Power injections in addition to standard PIV use.
What is diffusics?
A PIV was placed during a code blue, when would that PIV need to be replaced.
What is within 24 hours or when the patient stabilizes?
True or False: A best practice in vascular access is to place a smaller gauge catheter in a larger vein.
What is true? Smaller gauge in a larger vessel helps to reduce vein trauma, improves blood flow around the catheter, may allow for longer dwell time.
You insert a PIV successfully, but the infusion pump alarms for occlusion. The site appears normal. A first troubleshooting step is:
What is check for mechanical issues? (kinked tubing, closed clamp)