Blood, Electrolytes, and Intravenous Infusions

3-10. PRINCIPLES OF INTRAVENOUS THERAPY

a. Check all bottles or bags of infusion solution for these specific requirements

and discard any that show:

(1) A broken vacuum seal.

 

(2) Cloudiness.

 

(3) Precipitation (particles on the bottom of the bag or bottle).

 

(4) Foreign contaminants.

b. Always, use sterile equipment and wash your hands thoroughly.

c. Disinfect the patient's skin at and around the injection site. Apply antiseptic

solution using friction at and around the venipuncture site.

d. For long term therapy patients.

(1) Change the injection site every 48 to 72 hours (to lessen the possibility

of infection and/or irritation to the vein), or in accordance with (IAW) local standing

operating procedures (SOP).

 

(2) Replace the tubing and solution bottle (or bag) every 24 hours (to avoid

infusing a contaminated solution) or IAW local SOP.

 

(3) Take precautions if vein irritation or thrombophlebitis is possible.

(a) Plastic catheters are more likely to cause irritation than stainless

steel needles.

 

(b) Use the smallest gauge needle or catheter possible.

 

(c) Use the shortest infusion time possible. Irritation is much more likely after 48 hours of intravenous therapy.

 

(d) Veins of the lower extremities (in adults) are more likely to develop phlebitis (and quicker) than those of the upper extremities.

 

(e) Do not irrigate a stopped infusion. You may dislodge an obstructive clot and endanger the patient's life.

 

(f) You are less likely to irritate the large veins of the central venous system than the smaller peripheral veins.

 

(g) Strict attention to aseptic techniques is required at all times to prevent sepsis.