How IV Infusion Works in a Patient IV (Intravenous) infusion means “into the vein”. Intravenous medication administration takes place when you insert a needle into a vein and medication is administered via that needle. IV infusions are used to administer drugs, blood, essential nutrients or fluid into a patient’s blood. It begins with the insertion of a needle into the patient’s vein through the skin. This hypodermic needle is attached to a tube that channels liquid from a bag that it is connected to. The liquid which contains one or more kinds of medication, is released into the tube gradually through a manual valve control system on the drip or through electronic pumping mechanisms. This liquid is channeled directly into the blood stream through the vein which sends the blood into the heart, where it is pumped to every part of the body. The medication reaches the areas affected and begins to carry out its corrective function in the body. Sometimes the IV is given to hydrate a severely dehydrated body, in which case all the cells are impacted by the infusion. IV administration is faster than any other method of administration because it flows directly into the blood stream, so it is used when rapid action of the drug is necessary. The needle is usually inserted into in a vein close to the elbow, the wrist, or placed on the back of the hand. IV infusion works effectively because gravity pushes the fluid down through the IV tubing into the patient's vein. The higher the bag is hung, the greater the gravitational pressure on the IV fluid to flow downward through the tubing. To get enough pressure for gravity to force the fluid into the vein at a constant rate, the IV bag needs to be hung high. So, all IV bags must be hung above the ... ... middle of paper ... ...kly administer medication to a patient that is in urgent need of it. How this medication ends up in the blood stream to effect a change in a patient’s body is determined by the adherence to the standard steps of inserting an IV. This includes finding a peripheral or central vein; inserting a hypodermic needle; and regulating the amount of fluid that goes into the blood stream from the bag containing the liquid medication or nutrients. The IV infusion must be monitored intermittently to ensure that the needle does not become dislodged from the vein and pours its contents into surrounding tissue. This could lead to irritation, pain and other symptoms. Also the rate of infusion must be appropriate for the medication being given because too much infusion can cause other problems for the patient. Works Cited • http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-intravenous-fluids.htm
He quickly hooks up an IV fills it with diet water and waits. Ten tense minutes pass before the beeping of the machines resume their natural rhythm and the patient is stabilized. Suddenly, the patient begins to radiate a pale, golden light.
I also plan on taking a course after graduating from the nursing program specific to IV therapy because I feel this is a skill that takes practice and not having the hands-on experience through the nursing program at Niagara College is unfortunate. The IV therapy course is offered at Niagara College for a six-week period. I feel by taking this course I will become more comfortable with IV’s and will meet the expectations of the CNO when providing care to patients as a future nurse. I will also use the CNO standards of medication when administering an IV solution because it is a medication and the 10 rights need to be applied (CNO,
Then after threading a catheter through the needle, the anesthesiologist will withdraw the needle and leave the catheter i...
Wuhrman, E., Cooney, M. F., Dunwoody, C. J., Eksterowicz, N., Merkel, S., & Oakes, L. L. (2007). Authorized and unauthorized ("pca by proxy") dosing of analgesic infusion pumps: Position statement with clinical practice recommendations. Pain Management Nursing, 8(1), 4-11. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2007.01.002
IV sedation is reserved for our most complicated procedures and patients with very high levels of fear and anxiety. IV sedation creates a sleep-like state that allows you to wake up from a procedure with no memory of the sights, smells, sounds, or sensations that occurred during the treatment. This form of sedation is administered through an intravenous line and only by a licensed
A central venous catheter is a tube, which goes into vein in your chest and ends at your heart, with the tip attached to device called a port, and is used for injections and blood draws.
This machine used an intravenous drip which was hooked up to the patient. The IV would start dripping a solution of saline. When the patient was ready they pushed a button and this solution would stop dripping. At this time the machine would release a drug called thiopental, better known as sodium pentothal, a general anesthesia for sixty seconds. After this the patient would be in a coma. A timer would stop the first drug and the release the next one called potassium chloride. This drug will cause a heart attack and the patient will die in their sleep. (Gibbs, McBride-Mellinger; PBS.org.
Arrange for the administration of Demerol to the patient scheduled next on the operating table.
A peripherally inserted central catheter, more commonly referred to as a PICC line, is a wonderful tool in any medical setting. Providing access for drug administration, blood testing, nutrition, etc. Anything, such as medication, supplemented into the bloodstream will work significantly faster than alternative routes like orally, or even intramuscularly. Whatever is provided via the PICC line will immediately be transported in the blood to desired areas in the body; no longer necessitating a need for the body to break down the components first through the GI tract. However, PICC lines do have dangers associated with the same characteristics that make them remarkable. The rapid transit time, and immediate reaction on the body mean that
If you do not know the medication, do not give it. I teach this over and over in my clinicals and classes. We are humans, we are not robots and we will make mistakes, however if something does not feel right do not give it. The longer I work as a nurse, the less I trust anyone with my patients, this includes nurses and physicians. If I do not pull the medication myself, know the correct dosage and reason, I question the order. Experience has been a harsh teacher, consequently I have learned many lessons the hard
Before your first treatment, an access to your bloodstream must be made. The access provides a way for blood to be carried from your body to the dialysis machine and then back into your body. The access can be internal (inside the body -- usually under your skin) or external (outside the body).
The nurse, a traveling nurse, was working on a unit and received orders for infusion of normal saline in a 7 month old. He saw a small bag of what appeared to be saline on the desk in the nurse’s station, with the manufacturer’s pre-printed labeling indicating that it was filled with normal saline. One key aspect, as described by the traveling nurse, was that he had encountered in other health systems that pediatric infusions were specified in small bags. Based upon these two perceptions, the nurse administered the infusion – despite the pharmacy applied label being on the other side of the bag. Needless to say, the child died shortly after receiving the infusion, despite resuscitation attempts. The infusion was actually prepared for his adult patient
Several skills are beneficial to the nurse and paramedic, but perhaps one of the most important skills is the ability to place an intravenous catheter into a vein. This procedure is most commonly referred to as “starting an IV”. In today’s medical community, intravenous cannulation is necessary for the administration of many antibiotics and other therapeutic drugs. Listed below are the procedures and guidelines for starting a successful IV. Following these instructions will provide a positive experience for the patient and clinician.
In Florida, the LPN’s are allowed to administer IV medications. However, it is unclear whether the medications can be pain medications or regular medications only. Along with giving pain medications comes patient education on the medications that are being given to the patient. Besides a doctor, an RN is the only one that can perform this task. It is for this reason that I did not feel comfortable delegating administering of medications to the LPN. I also found it difficult to delegate Ms. Q to anyone other than me due to her unstable blood pressure. I felt I was the only one who should be responsible for this patient. A potential barrier could be unhealthy attitude such as the NAP not wanting to assist a patient with a bedpan and clean up due to it being beneath them. This is a problem that I have encountered on several occasions in the clinical setting. Lastly, another potential barrier would be trust. Trusting the delegated task to be completed correctly with patient safety in mind at all times. If delegation is done correctly, the entire team is liable and “will end up in a worse place they started in” (Ellis, 2015, p. 71).