Complications of IV therapy
Inflammation of the veins that includes edema, throbbing, burning and warmth to the touch. A red line can be visible up the arm and palpable cord is present
Phlebitis?
Discontinue infusion, elevate the extremity, apply warm compress for 3-4 minutes, restart infusion in a different vein
Treatment for phlebitis
For fluids, medication and blood products.
location :hand, wrist, forearms, anticubital
Less than 3 inches long
Peripheral IV
Sharply tipped plasttic end of the drip chamber
Spike
Why would you hang a piggyback solution higher than the larger bag of fluids?
Gravity helps it flow better
Symptoms include distended neck veins, increased BP, SOB, crackles and edema.
Hypervolemia
Stop the infusion, raise the head of the bed, measure vital signs and o2 sats, adjust rate after correcting fluid overload, administer diuretics.
Treatment for fluid overload
For patients that require frequent and or long-term IV therapy. Enters the body and ends in the superior vena cava (SVC)
Central line IV
IV therapy that provides daily restoration of vital fluids and electrolytes
Restorative therapy
Most commonly veins that are used for peripheral IV therapy
Median antecubital, cephalic and basilic veins
IV solution or medication that leaks into the tissue.
Infiltration
Stop the infusion, elevate the extremity, encourage ROM, apply warm or cold compress, restart the infusion proximal to site or at a different site
Treatment for infiltration
Peripherally inserted IV that ends in superior vena cava
PICC
Administration of medication or an infusion that is not continuous but is interrrupted between doses
s
Intermittent infusion
What action should the nurse take to help maintain patency of the IV cannula
Perform a regularly scheduled flush
Obstruction of vessel by air caused by disconnection between IV catheter and IV tubing, IV bag running dry or infusion of air into tubing.
Air embolism
No longer sterile; soiled or unclean
Contaminated
The nurse notes coolness of the skin at the IV site and a slow infusion rate. What should the nurse do?
Stop the infusion
Ml per hour
Flow rate
What type of solution is used when flushing the IV after confirming patency?
0.9% normal saline or heparin
Systemic infection with pathogens present in the blood
Sepsis/Septicemia
Symptoms of dehydration
hypotension, tachycardia, tenting of skin, thirst, decreased urine output
Fluid volume deficit vs fluid volume excess
Deficit: Dehydration, Decreased urination, low BP, tachycardia, urine specific gravity is high and concentrated, elevated electrolyte levels.
Treated with IV fluids or PO fluids
Fluid volume excess
Edema, swelling, fluid retention, HTN, tachycardia, skin will leak fluid, increased weight, cough
Treated with diuretics (Lasix, furosemide). Raise the head of the bed, give oxygen
Gtts per minute
Drip rate
Infection acquied in a health care setting.
Staph is the most common
Handwashing #1 prevention of spread of infection
Nonsocomial infection0.9% sodium chloride (NS)