The Pros And Cons Of Intravenous Therapy

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Intravenous therapy (IV therapy) is a method used to help the patient get better. Intravenous lines are put in for things as simple as delivering fluids when the patient is dehydrated to administering emergency lifesaving pharmaceuticals. As a patient or health care provider negative outcomes, such as having unneeded complications and jeopardizing patient comfort from an intravenous line is the last thing needed.

Intravenous (IV) Therapy

Intravenous therapy is very common, more than 80% of patients admitted to the hospital

will require intravenous cannulation” (Ogston-Tuck, 2014). The key to prevention is knowing the cause of the problem. Some key nursing interventions as noted in the [Manual of IV Therapeutics] include using aseptic technique …show more content…

53). The thymus bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, appendix, tonsils, adenoids and lungs are all organ’s of the immune system.

Bodies Defense

The bodies first line of defense includes the presence of physical and chemical barriers. These limit entry of microorganisms into the body. “These include: intact skin and epithelial surfaces that act as mechanical barriers, presence of normal micro flora on the skin that compete with pathogens for nutrients and inhibit pathogen growth through lactic acid production, normal flora of throat, colon, and vagina occupy receptors that prevents colonization by pathogens.” (Ogston-Tuck, 2014, p. 55). This also includes secretions which contain antibodies.

When the first line of defense fails, the bodies second line of defense kicks in. Natural killer cells, neutrophils, macrophages, inflammation, fever and transferrin and lactoferrin kick in to eliminate microbes. These also prevent infectious diseases. Keeping infection out of the intravenous site is very important. As long as the bodies defense mechanisms are working properly and aren’t compromised, the process is made

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