Needle Safety
Nursing Points General Built-in Safety Devices Retractable Sleeve type Needletip cover Opportunities for accidental needlestick increase when a nurse Works quickly Attempts to use a device other than intended Aren’t familiar with the device Attempts to recap a cannula Bumps into another coworker Needlestick injury prevention measures Prepare for catheter insertion safely, efficiently and timely […]
IV Drip Therapy – Medications Used for Drips
Overview Medications that are given as a drip have the following considerations: How urgently the patient needs the medication. How safe is the drug given through other methods. How the body handles the drug. Nursing Points General What is a drip? Medication that is given slowly over time, or Is titrated depending on a patient’s […]
IV Drip Administration & Safety Checks
Nursing Points General Verify order on Medication Administration Record Check all aspects of the formulation Drug amount Volume of fluid to be infused Concentration Verify medication with 6 patient rights Also verify need for medication and condition Equipment safety Correct Tubing Does the pump allow for this medication Ensure that the pump programmable for a […]
Understanding All The IV Set Ports
Nursing Points General On an IV primary tubing set, there are typically three ports: Port above the safety clamp Middle port Port nearest the patient Also known as “valves” The port nearest the drip chamber and above the safety clamp This port is for hanging piggybacks that must be infused through the pump The flow […]
Giving Medication Through An IV Set Port
Overview Medications that are given IV should be given through one of three IV ports: Port above the safety clamp Port below safety clamp (middle port) Port closest to patient Nursing Points General Port above safety clamp Slow intermittent infusions the pump must regulate Piggybacks Antibiotics Anti-emetic infusions Electrolytes Volumes of typically 100-250 mL Port […]
How to Remove (discontinue) an IV
Overview Proper removal of the IV is based on: Completion of therapy Comfort of the patient Necessary safety precautions Nursing Points General IV catheters should be removed if Therapy is completed (i.e. patient discharge) The IV is not patent Another safety risk is present (i.e. infection, extravasation, phlebitis, etc.) IVs shouldn’t be removed if The […]
IV Placement Start To Finish (How to Start an IV)
Overview IV cannulation should be focused on Providing IV access for fluids or medications Providing access for therapy (such as chemoetherapeutic drugs) Providing emergency venous access Obtaining IV access in a safe way that is most comfortable to the patient. Nursing Points General Verify the need for cannulation Need for therapy Infection, fluid resuscitation, etc. […]
Bariatric: IV Insertion
Nursing Points General Nuances of Bariatric Patients Hands are difficult to successfully place an IV Due to excessive tissue and small veins, lower likelihood of success Greatest areas of success Antecubital fossa Forearm Tips Start low (distal) Avoid joints Go bigger Use larger gauges to penetrate more tissue Use judiciously Insertion Verify order, education, and […]
Dark Skin: IV Insertion
Nursing Points General Tips and Tricks Veins may be difficult to see Focus on the IV site that you can palpate Use an alcohol swab to help visualize the site Use a pen cap to make an impression in the skin Use a blood pressure cuff to create more vein distention Insertion Verify order, education, […]
Tattoos IV Insertion
Nursing Points General Patients with tattoos Have decreased visibility of veins due to the pigment of the tattoo Tips and Tricks Use an alcohol swab Helps to create contrast in the skin so you can see the vein Make a mark in the skin with a pen cap or cap of a needle Not the […]