Intravenous Therapy procedure

Definition: It is the administration of a large amount of fluid into the system through a vein.

Purpose
• To maintain fluid & electrolyte balance
• To introduce medication particularly antibiotics.

Equipment
• IV fluid as ordered
• Sterile syringe & needle
• Rubber & towel
• Receiver
• Alcohol swabs
• Arm board
• Bandage & scissors
• Tourniquet
• I.V pole
• Adhesive tape
• Medication chart

Preparation of the Patient
Since an infusion therapy takes several hours to complete, the patient should first be made comfortable.

Procedure
• Take equipment to the patient's bedside
• Explain the procedure to the patient. Be sure you have rightpatient.
• Remove air form the tubing
• Place rubber & towel under the arm
• Apply tourniquet about 3 c.m. above the intended site of entry.
• Observe & palpate for suitable vein
• Cleanse the skin with alcohol swabs thoroughly & place the swab used thumb the retract down the vein & soft tissue 4 c.m. below the intended site of injection.
• Hold needle at 450 angle line with the vein
• Pierce the skin and puncture the vein
• Check if you are in the vein by drawing back with the syringes. (blood returns if you are in the vein)
• Release the tourniquet gently
• Start the flow of solution by opening the clamp.
• Support needle with sterile gauze or sterile cotton balls If necessary to keep it in proper position in the vein
• Anchor the I.V. tubing with the adhesive tape to prevent pull on the needle.
• Place arm board or splint under the arm and bandage around.
• Adjust the rate of flow
• Rate of flow is regulated by the following formula.

Number of ml. of sol's number of drops in a ml.
Number of hrs. over which sol. is to be administered x 60 minutes

1ml = 15 drops

E.g. if 1000ml of 5% D/w is to run for 24 hrs, how many drops per minutes should it run?

1000 ml. x 15 gtt/ml. = 1000 x 15 gtt. = 10 gtt/min
     24 x 60 min.             24 x 60 min.

Note:
1. The arm board should be long enough to extend beyond the wrist and elbow joint.
2. Board should be padded
3. Infusion bottle should be labeled with the date, time infusion is started, drops per minute, and any added medications. If more than one bottle as used in 24 hrs, it should be labeled as bag 1,2,3, and so on.
4. Extend the arm in the most comfortable position.
5. Usual areas used for intravenous infusion are:

a) The median basilic vein on the inner surface of the arm.
b) A vein on top of the foot
c) In an infant the jugular vein and the scalp vein