Transcript 4 Skills Crucial to Critical Thinking are

Medical-Surgical Nursing: An
Integrated Approach, 2E
Chapter 11
IV Therapy
IV Therapy

Administration of fluids, electrolytes,
nutrients or medications by the venous
route.
Parenteral Fluids
Hypotonic Fluids – lowers the osmotic
pressure and causes fluid to move into
cells
 Isotonic Fluids – increases extracellular
fluid volume
 Hypertonic Fluids – increases osmotic
pressure, drawing fluid from cells

Equipment Needed
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IV Filters – remove particulate matter from
solutions
Needles & Catheters – provide access to
venous system
Peripheral IV & Heparin locks – establish a
nenous route in those clients whose condition
may change rapidly
Vascular Access Devices – allow long-term IV
therapy
Preparing a Solution
Review agency policies
 Verify the expiration dates

Initiating IV Therapy
Use the shortest needle and smallest
gauge
 Consider the client’s age, health and skin
condition
 In general, begin with the hand and move
up the arm

Locating a Vein
Place a tourniquet on patient’s arm
 Palpate for vein with index and middle
finger of non-dominate hand
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Placing the Needle
Prepare selected site according to
institution standards
 Hold the needle at a 10-30 degree angle
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Administering Flow-Rate
Flow Rate must be calculated
 Period of administration may vary
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Calculating Flow Rate
Total Volume
= mL/hour infusion rate
Hours of Infusion
For example:
1000 mL
8 Hours
= 125 mL/hour infusion rate
Managing IV Therapy
IV Therapy requires constant monitoring
 Concerns may be:

Hypervolemia (increased fluid volume)
 Infiltration (seepage of foreign substances)
 Phlebitis
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IV Drug Therapy
The IV route is used when a rapid effect is
desired
 An immediate impact may be realized
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Methods of IV Drug Therapy
Intravenous fluid container
 Volume-control administration set
 Intermittent infusion by piggyback or
partial fill
 IV push or bolus

Blood Transfusions
Designed to replace blood loss with whole
blood or blood components
 Used to restore blood volume after severe
hemorage
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Whole Blood
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Contains red blood cells (RBCs) and
plasma
Administering Blood
Follow institution guidelines
 Verify consent form
 Watch for reactions:
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Allergic
 Febrile
 Hemolytic
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