Could u explain to me the following guidelines involved in intravenous infusion?

explain each, if possible...please..urgent...th... u..
GUIDELINES INVOLVED IN INTRAVENOUS INFUSION:
1.Asses need for therapy
2.Check for evidence of fluid of electrolyte imbalance
3.Inspect the prescribed equipment to be used
4.Know the patients vital signs
5.Know the patients weight
6.Know the patients medical history and the present medicine he is taking
7.Know the patients mobility of exercise state
8.Note the last intravenous tubing or dressing was last changed
9.Select the suitable vein for venipuncture to minimize discomfort of patient
10. Utilize the best way of distending the vein
11. Thoroughly clean the venipuncture site
12. Label all tubing initials along time and date initiated
13. Know the patients dominant hand
14. The use of arm board is considered when intravenous devices are placed over areas of flexion to prevent injury
15.Adjust the flow rate of the fluid prescribed by the physician
16.Monitor flow rate every 1 hour
Answer:
You think your question is urgent! Wait until you're with a patient "going south", and you do not know what to do....
or how to do it, or even IF you should do it!
I would think if you are in the position of having to know this information, you would also know how important it is to find it out for yourself. In short, know how, what, when, where, and why you're doing something, or DON'T do it!!!!

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Ok I'm bored... I'll do a few for you at least:
1. Obvious, do they need an IV? Can the med be given PO? If it can be given orally, it is much better for the patient. Safes them from getting too many needles and will speed up the time they have to stay in hospital.
2. You need to know what their fluids and lytes are before you start pumping them full of more fluid. Makes sense right? Don't infuse a bag of NS with KCL if they are hyperkalemic...
3. Error can be avoided, make sure you have the right IV set up. Is it running through a pump, gravity, etc. Are you starting the IV or just changing it. What IV should be running? What is prescribed? Any medication to be added? All very important things to consider.
4. Again, you need to know that what your giving is appropriate. Is it wise to be giving someone a litre of NS if they are currently running a BP of 200/130? probaby not.
5. Important in verifying that the amount you are giving them is suitable. Also, you'll want to monitor for weight gain and loss following the infusion. Remember, 1L of fluid = I kg in weight. So if you give them a litre and they gain 5 kg... something may be up.
6. Allergies? Diabetic? History of clotting? Do the medications they are on affect fluid uptake or kidney function? Lots of stuff here.
7. Should you be considering edema as a concern post infusion? This will help you predict how the infusion will affect the patient.
8. Depending on the insitition and type of IV, tubings and dressing changes must be performed regularily so to maintain a level of sterility within the system. You are injecting right into the vein, any bacteria that gets in is potentially harmful to the patient
9. Know what hurts and what doesn't. This comes with study and practice. AC hurts, so does the hand. You will learn what doesnt hurt over time. My favorite spot is just medial of the AC, about one inch. Or just below that.
10. Heat compresses work wonders. Have the patient pump thier hand open and closed if they can. Use a tourniquet.. there are tons of little tricks. Usually involving motion and heat to get the blood flowing.
11. Here we use iso-propyl alcohol swabs for this. Depending on where you are, you may use other substitutes.. iodine and chlorohexidine are two I can think of right away.
12. Going back to number 8. You needed to check, so will the next person.
13. I adressed this in your other post. It is all about patient comfort here.
14. A needle moving around in your arm can be painful and can obviously cause damage.. try and reduce that. Especially useful in children who cannot keep their arms still no matter what :)
15. If the physician says 150 ml/ hr. Do it. That being said. Use your judgement before you set this number blindly. If you have an order to infuse 100 ml an hour into a 20 kg child... think twice... that would most likely put him or her into fluid overload... recheck the order... did it say 100 or 10.0? double check with the doc if needed. Don't do something that doesnt seem right to you.
16. Things happen. IVs can get knocked around, the rate may change. Kids can pull on stuff, adults can be figety. Its always safe to be sure you are giving the right amount. Even if you are using a pump and not gravity, check... I've seen too many pumps act stupidly, or family members "try to help out" by hitting a button or two. *rolls eyes*
damn
I did them all
your welcome

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