Intravenous Therapy

ASSESSMENT
_ Assessed site for erythema, swelling, or pain.
_ Assessed infusion for correct solution, amount, and flow rate.
_ Assessed need to change IV to saline lock.
_ Assessed need to change client’s gown while IV was infusing.
_ Assessed need to change IV solution/administration set and infusion site.
PREP THE SITE
1. Explained procedure.
2. Provided privacy.
3. Hung solution bag and primed administration set within easy reach.
4. Positioned client.
5. Performed hand hygiene & gloves.
6. Selected IV device. Catheter gauge.
7. Selected a vein on client’s nondominant arm.
8. Applied tourniquet 6 inches above the selected site to distend vein. Overlapped ends of
tourniquet,
lifted and stretched, then tucked top end underbottom; kept ends pointing away from puncture
site.
9. Prepared vein for venipuncture.
10. Prepped site with 2% chlorhexidine swab. Cleansed area using back-and-forth motion, 2–4
inches in
diameter.
11. Let prep solution air dry for 30 seconds naturally before continued with venipuncture. Don’t
fan to dry skin.
12. Did not touch selected insertion site after prepping.
13. Proceeded to appropriate procedure for inserting the needle.
DISCONTINUING AN IV
1. Gathered equipment.
2. Performed hand hygiene and gloves.
3. Identified client using two descriptors and explained procedure to client.
4. Turned off infusion.
5. Loosened dressing and device.
6. Stabilized needle or catheter while removing dressing and device.
7. Hold sterile gauze over site and removed needle/catheter carefully and smoothly.
8. Quickly pressed sterile pad over venipuncture site, and held firmly until bleeding stops.
9. Held pressure for several minutes if client’s drug therapy prolonged bleeding.
10. Applied sterile pad and taped in place.
11. Elevated arm.
12. Observed venipuncture site for redness, swelling, or hematoma.
13. Disposed of equipment and gloves.
14. Performed hand hygiene.
15. Checked site again in 15 minutes.
16. Recorded volume infused on I&O sheet.
Note: If there were signs of infection or inflammation at catheter site or client complained of
symptoms related to infection, cut tip of catheter with sterile scissors, placed in sterile
container, and
sent to lab for culture.