Key Terms
Intravenous (IV) therapy
Direct administration of fluids, electrolytes, blood products, nutrition, or medications into a vein. Peripheral intrave
IV push
Manually injected into the IV line; administered slowly (seconds to minutes); fast therapeutic effect; can be PRN or sch
Continuous infusion
Constant delivery over hours to days; maintains drugs with a narrow therapeutic window; eliminates peak/trough fluctuati
Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN)
Diluted formula; supplemental; short-term only; via peripheral IV. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): dense formula; tota
Local signs
Redness, tenderness, swelling, purulent drainage. Action: remove IV, notify provider.
Infiltration
Catheter tip slips out of vein; fluid infuses into surrounding tissue instead of vein. Signs: pain, swelling, skin cool
Extravasation
Infiltration of vesicant (damaging) medications into extravascular tissue; can cause necrosis (tissue death). Signs: pai
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein. Causes: chemical (irritating infusions), mechanical (insertion angle, flexion, large catheter, i
Air embolus
Air or gas enters the vascular system. Venous air embolus: travels to right ventricle and/or pulmonary system.
Symptoms
Pitting edema, ascites (fluid in abdomen), dyspnea, crackles from fluid in lungs. Treatment: restrict sodium and fluids;
Action
Occlude air entry with roller clamp; place patient in Trendelenburg LEFT side down; apply 100% oxygen; obtain vital sign
Prevention
Drip chamber one-third to one-half full; secure all IV connections; prime tubing to remove all air.
Catheter-associated thrombus
Inflammatory response to IV catheter causing a blood clot that blocks one or more veins. Superficial vein thrombosis (SV
Diagnosis
Positive blood cultures. Complications: bacteremia (bacteria in blood), sepsis (dysregulated immune response causing wid
High-risk patients
Obesity, diabetes, thrombophilia, cancer, family history of thrombosis, receiving IV chemotherapy.