INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

PREPARED BY
Mrs Silpa Jose T
Assistant Professor
STCON,KATTANAM
 De f i n i t i o n o f IV Fl u i d s
The word "intravenous" as a noun refers to an intravenous
fluid drip, a solution (usually a balanced electrolyte solution)
administered directly into the venous circulation.

Intravenous (iv) therapy is the insertion of a

needle or catheter/cannula into a vein, based
on the physician’s written prescription. The
needle or catheter / cannula is attached to a
sterile tubing and a fluid container to provide
medication and fluids.
 Indication s o f IV Therapy

provide fluid and electrolyte maintenance, restoration,


and replacement
• Administer medication and nutritional replacement
• Administer blood and blood products
• Administer chemotherapy to cancer patients
• Administer key-controlled analgesics
• Keep a vein open for quick access
TYPES OF IV FLUIDS

1/ colloid:
Solutions that contain large molecules
that don’t pass the cell membranes.
When infused, they remain in the
intravascular compartment and expand the
intravascular volume and they draw fluid
from
extravascular spaces via their higher
oncotic pressure.
TYPES OF IV FLUIDS

Volume expanders (Colloid)

–Are used to increase the blood
volume following
severe loss of blood (haemorrhage) or loss
of plasma ( severe burns).
–Expanders present in dextran, plasma,
and albumin.
TYPES OF IV FLUIDS

2/ Crystalloid:
Solutions that contain small molecules that flow
easily across the cell membranes, allowing for
transfer
from the bloodstream into the cells and
body tissues.
This will increase fluid volume in both the
interstitial and intravascular spaces ( Extravascular
).
It is subdivided
into: Isotonic •
Hypotonic •
TYPES OF IV FLUIDS

Electrolyte solutions (Crystalloid)

–Fluids that consist of water and
dissolved crystals, such as salts and
sugar.
–Used as maintenance fluids to correct
body
fluids and electrolyte deficit .
–Divided to different types.
 Solutions Types

1/ Hypotonic -
solutions that have a
lower osmolality than
body fluids
2/ Hypertonic -
solutions that have a
higher
osmolality than
body fluids
3/ Isotonic - solutions
that have the same
 INTRAVENOUS INFUSION
DEVICES
 Cannula
 IV Tubing set & Solution bag
 IV Pole and/or Pump
 Tape
IV Administration Set
 Continuous IV or Drip
Infusion – IV fluids or
medications such
as aminophylline and heparin
are added to IV fluid container
and hung at the patient’s
bedside and allow to drip
slowly into a vein by gravity
flow or through the use of
electrical battery- operated
volumetric infusion pumps. This
is slow, primary line infusion of
an IV preparation to maintain
a therapeutic drug level or
provide fluid and electrolyte
replacement.
Intermittent IV Infusion – This allows drug
administered at specific intervals. Three
different techniques may be used:
 Heparin lock or heparin
well system – Heparin
lock is a device
consisting of an IV
needle attached to a
short plastic tube which
terminates in a rubber
seal through which
medication is injected
or infused at
designated times.
IV Piggyback
 IV Piggyback – Medication is
added to a small volume container
and connected as a secondary
infusion to a primary IV line.
 Additive Set Infusion –
Use of volume
control device
designed to
administer small
amounts of fluids over
a specified time
period. Usually 30 to
60 minutes, by
attaching its fluid
chamber to an
independent fluid
supply or placed
directly under the
established primary IV
line.
 How to calculate IV flow rates !
 Intravenous fluid must be given at a specific rate, neither too fast nor too slow. The
specific rate may be measured as ml/hour, L/hour or drops/min. To control or adjust the
flow rate only drops per minute are used.
 How to calculate IV flow rates !
What is a drop factor?
Drop factor is the number of drops in one
milliliter used in IV fluid administration (also
called drip factor). A number of different drop
factors are available but the Commonest are:
1 10 drops/ml (blood set)
2 15 drops / ml (regular set)
3 60 drops / ml (microdrop, burette)
How to calculate IV flow rates ?
IV INFUSION PUMP
Nur si ng car e dur i ng
I VF administrations
Check the IV solution for the type amount, percent of solution and rate
of
flow
• Assess the health status and medical disorders
• Wash hands thoroughly and use sterile technique
• Prime the tubing to remove air from the system
• Change the IV site every 48 – 72 hrs
• Change the IV dressing every 72 hrs especially when wet and
contaminated
• Change the IV tubing every 24 to 72 hrs
•Label the tubing, dressing and solution bags indicating the date and
time when changed
• Before adding med or solutions, swab access ports with 70% alcohol
•In preparing to Administer Intravenous Therapy the nurse selects
the most appropriate insertion site and type of cannula for a
particular
patient
• Documentation
 COMPLICATIONS

Infection –
redness, swelling
and drainage at
site; chills, fever,
malaise,
headache
•Tissue damage –
skin color
change,
sloughing of skin,
discomfort at
site
 COMPLICATIONS

Phlebitis – heat,
redness,
tenderness, not
hard and swollen

Thrombophlebitis –
heat, redness,
tenderness, hard
and cordlike vein
 COMPLICATIONS

Infiltration – Edema,
pain, and coolness
at the site

Catheter embolism –
decrease BP, pain
along vein, weak,
rapid pulse, cyanosis
of
nail beds, loss
of
consciousness
 COMPLICATIONS
Circulatory overload –
increased BP,
distended jugular
veins, rapid breathing,
dyspnea, moist cough
and crackles

Electrolyte overload –
signs depend on the
specific
electrolyte
imbalance
 COMPLICATIONS
Hematoma –
ecchymosis, immediate
swelling and leakage
of blood at the site,
and hard painful
lumps at the site

Air embolism –
tachycardia, dyspnea,
hypotension,
cyanosis, decreased
level of
consciousness