Maintenance of an IV site

IV infusion bags

-check institutional policy (usually every 24 hours) -except blood and blood products (up to 4 hours)

Peripheral IV dressing

-left in place until the catheter is removed or changed -or no longer intact, soiled -clean technique

Central IV sites

-length of time varies according to purpose -can last weeks up to years -assess for problems and discontinue if problems do arise -sterile technique for dressing changes, changed weekly (or when wet, non-intact or non occlusive) -need occlusive dressings -all central lines end at the superior vena cava

IV Tubing

-primary and secondary continuous administration set should be changed no more frequently than every 96 hrs (more frequently increases the risk for infection) -primary and secondary intermittent administration sets should be changed every 24 hours (increases manpower, increases cost) -TPN every 24 hours (b/c has filter, is good growth medium) -lipids every bottle -blood and blood products after each unit of blood or every 4 hours (FDA regulation, blood is good growth medium, filter gets clogged with debris)

Needleless connectors

-proper hand hygiene -scrub hub for FIFTEEN TO THIRTY SECONDS with 70% alcohol or 3.1% chorhexidine (check facility policy- most are alcohol because of cost) -let dry -flush per guidelines

Peripheral IV site

-rotated per organization policy (72-96hrs or as long as we can go with no complications) -assess for problems and discontinue if problems do arise

Central IV dressing

-sterile technique for dressing changes, changed weekly (or when wet, non-intact or non occlusive) -need occlusive dressings

peripheral IV catheter

24- yellow (pediatric) 22- blue 20- pink 18- green 16- gray 14- orange (22, 20, 18 common for adults) (16, 14 common for trauma)

Most serious complication of IV therapy?

Infection -proper care of site -aseptic technique

peripheral site assessment

Intermittent Infusion Device (saline or med lock) -colour -temp -swelling -leakage -dressing intact & age -clamp closed -age

peripheral site assessment for running IV

check: -tubing -bag -rate -running on time

Large catheter + small vein?

occlusion, phlebitis Use the smallest gauge IV catheter to administer the prescribed therapy. Good flow rates are possible even with a small gauge catheter. Using an IV catheter too large for the vein will obstruct blood flow and might cause thrombosis distal to the IV site.

What part of IV set-up must be labeled?

tubing bag catheter site