INDICATIONS

Figure 3 :  Equipment.
 Infusion of IV fluids View Larger Image

CONTRAINDICATIONS

 Abnormalities of the overlying skin

(cellulitis, burns, etc.)
 Abnormalities of the extremity
(trauma, ipsilateral radical Figure 4 :  Intravenous catheter.
mastectomy, presence of an View Larger Image
arteriovenous fistula)

EQUIPMENT

 Gloves, antiseptic solution

 Rubber elastic tourniquet
 Local anesthetic solution, 25-gauge
needle, and small syringe (optional)
 Intravenous catheter
 If phlebotomy is required, 5- to 10-
mL syringe or vacuum bottles and
vacuum bottle holder to collect the
sample and specimen bottles
 Appropriate IV fluid or saline “lock”
setup and IV tubing
 Sterile saline for the flush or IV fluids
 Cotton balls or gauze for bleeding and
sterile dressing

ANATOMY

 Upper extremity veins are preferable.

 Commonly used veins include the
dorsal metacarpal veins, the basilic
vein, and the cephalic vein.
PROCEDURE
Sample excerpt does not include step-by-step
text instructions for performing this
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The full content of this section includes:

 Step-by-step text instructions for

performing the procedure
 Clinical pearls providing practical
clinical tips from medical experts
 Patient safety guidelines consistent Figure 16 :  Apply traction with your non-
with Joint Commission and OHSA dominant hand. Hold the intravenous
standards catheter at the level of the flash chamber,
 Links to medical evidence and related with your thumb and middle finger.
procedures View Larger Image
 Figure 17 :  Observe for a flash of blood.
View Larger Image

POST-PROCEDURE
CARE

 Frequently reassess the IV line.

 Flush the line at least every 8 hours.
 Change peripheral lines every 3 to 4 days.

COMPLICATIONS

 Infiltration and extravasation of IV fluids

 Arterial placement
 Air embolism
 Catheter fracture and embolism
 Infection
 Thrombophlebitis
1. Firstly, Introduce yourself to the patient, explain what you are going to do and ask for
consent. It is also worth explaining that cannulation may cause some discomfort but that
this will be short lived.

2. As ever, ensure that you have all of your equipment ready. This is alcohol gel, gloves,
an alcohol wipe, a tourniquet, an IV cannula, a suitable plaster, a syringe, saline and a
sharps box.
3. Wash your hands with alcohol gel.

4. Position the arm so that it is comfortable for the patient and identify a vein.

5. Apply the tourniquet and re-check the vein.

6. Put on your gloves, clean the skin with the alcohol wipe and let it dry.
7. Remove the cannula from its packaging and remove the needle cover ensuring not to
touch the needle.

8. Stretch the skin distally and tell the patient to expect a sharp scratch.

9. Insert the needle, bevel upwards at about 30 degrees. Advance the needle until a
flashback of blood is seen in the hub at the back of the cannula.
10. Once this is seen, progress the entire cannula a further 2mm then fix the needle
advancing the rest of the cannula into the vein.
11. Release the tourniquet, apply pressure to the vein at the tip of the cannula and remove
the needle fully. Remove the cap from the needle and put this on the end of the cannula.

12. CAREFULLY dispose of the needle into the sharps box.

13. Apply the plaster to the cannula to fix it in place.

14. Having checked the Use By date, fill the syringe with saline and flush it through the
cannula to check for patency. If there is any resistance, if it causes any pain or you notice
any localised tissue swelling immediately stop flushing, remove the cannula and start
again.

15. Ensure that the patient is comfortable and thank them.

IV CANNULA

(With wing & wing Injection port) &

(Without wing & without Injection Port)

Siliconised, beveled, back cut

ground stainless steel needle
NEEDLE
for smooth & painless vein
puncture
(A) All cannulas are made
of virgin PTFE(Poly Tetra
Fluoro Ethylene) double
tapered beveled tip
siliconised catheter
PTFE (B) Thin wall thickness of
CATHETER the catheter allows
maximum flow rate for a
special gauge of cannula
(C) Catheter with radio
opaque lines are also
available.
Smooth inner surface ensures free flow of blood.
NON RETURN Further outer diameter of silicon tubing synchronizes
VALVE with the inner diameter of the main body resulting no
leakage.
All the I.V. Cannulas are sterile & individually packed
BLISTER in
PACKING rigid blister and are sealed in peel open type Medical
Grade paper packinge.
   With luer lock plug
 For single use only
 Disposable, Sterile Ready for use
 Ext. dia. Length. Flow rate
Colour Code Guage
(mm) (mm) ML.,/min
Orange G-14 2.1 45 300
Grey G-16 1.7 45 172
Green G-18 1.3 45 76
Pink G-20 1.0 33 54
Blue G-22 0.8 25 31
Lime G-24 0.7 19 14