IV Therapy
IV Therapy
IV Therapy
the word intravenous simply means “within a vein” but is most used to refer to iv therapy.
Iv medications and fluids enter the patient’s bloodstream directly through the vein. They act
rapidly within the body to restore fluid volume and deliver medications. Once a medication
enters the vein, there is no way to terminate this action. Therefore, it is important to properly
prepare the iv medication or fluid, correctly calculate the dosage, and administer it safely to
the patient.
Iv therapy is the fastest way to deliver nutrients throughout the body, because it bypasses the
digestive system and goes directly into the organs, resulting in a 90-100% absorption rate (as
opposed to only 20-50% possible orally) (1).
Iv set
An iv set is a disposable, sterile, and single-use system that connects the medication or fluid
container to the patient’s vascular access site. It typically consists of various components
such as iv tubing, drip chambers, filters, injection ports, connectors, flow regulators, and
needles or catheters (2) (3).
1. Iv tubing
Iv tubing forms the primary pathway through which medications and fluids flow from the iv
bag to the patient’s bloodstream. Typically, manufacturers use transparent, flexible materials
to make iv tubings, enabling easy monitoring of fluid levels and air bubble detection. The
length and diameter of the tubing vary depending on the intended application. Moreover,
designers ensure compatibility with different types of connectors and injection ports.
2. Drip chambers
Drip chambers are small, cylindrical chambers located between the iv tubing and the
patient’s access site. Their main function is to allow healthcare providers to visually monitor
the flow rate of fluids and detect any air bubbles before they reach the patient. Drip
chambers are usually made of transparent material, and they may incorporate additional
features like filters or flow regulators.
3. Iv filters
Iv filters are crucial for removing particulate matter, air bubbles, and contaminants from iv
fluids prior to patient administration. They effectively prevent the infusion of harmful
particles, reducing the risk of complications like embolism or infection. Iv filters come in
different types, including particulate filters, bacterial filters, and air elimination filters.
Injection ports and y-sites are specialized components of an iv set that allow for the
administration of additional medications or fluids without disrupting the primary infusion.
Injection ports are small, self-sealing access points that healthcare professionals can use to
introduce medications or draw blood samples. Y-sites connect two iv lines into a single line,
allowing simultaneous administration of various fluids or medications.
5. Connectors
Connectors are integral parts of an iv set that facilitate the secure attachment of different
components, such as tubing, filters, and injection ports. They ensure a tight seal and prevent
leakage, reducing the risk of contamination and medication errors. Connectors, such as luer
connectors, needle-free connectors, and screw connectors, come in various designs. Each
design offers specific advantages and compatibility with different devices.
6. flow regulators
8. Secondary iv tubing
Shorter in length than primary tubing, with no access ports or backcheck valve; when
connected to a primary line via an access port, used to infuse intermittent medications or
fluids. A secondary tubing administration set is used for secondary iv medication.
Pathogenesis
catheters contaminate by 2 principal pathways:
1. Migration of skin organisms at the insertion site into the cutaneous catheter tract and
along the surface of the catheter with colonization of the catheter tip; this is the most
common route of infection for short-term catheters (7).
2. Direct contamination of the catheter or catheter hub by contact with hands or
contaminated fluids or devices hub is considered to be the initial site of contamination
of the internal surface pathway (8).
1. Educate healthcare personnel regarding the indications for intravascular catheter use,
proper procedures for the insertion and maintenance of intravascular catheters, and
appropriate infection control measures to prevent intravascular catheter-related
infections (9).
2. Periodically assess knowledge of and adherence to guidelines for all personnel
involved in the insertion and maintenance of intravascular catheters (9).
3. Designate only trained personnel who demonstrate competence for the insertion and
maintenance of peripheral and central intravascular catheters (10).
1. Perform hand hygiene procedures, either by washing hands with conventional soap
and water or with alcohol-based hand rubs (abhr). Hand hygiene should be performed
before and after palpating catheter insertion sites as well as before and after inserting,
replacing, accessing, repairing, or dressing an intravascular catheter. Palpation of the
insertion site should not be performed after the application of antiseptic, unless aseptic
technique is maintained (11).
2. Maintain aseptic technique for the insertion and care of intravascular catheters (12).
3. Wear clean gloves, rather than sterile gloves, for the insertion of peripheral
intravascular catheters, if the access site is not touched after the application of skin
antiseptics (12).
4. Sterile gloves should be worn for the insertion of arterial, central, and midline
catheters
5. Use new sterile gloves before handling the new catheter when guidewire exchanges
are performed.
6. Wear either clean or sterile gloves when changing the dressing on intravascular
catheters.
Skin preparation
1. Prepare clean skin with an antiseptic (70% alcohol, tincture of iodine, an iodophor or
chlorhexidine gluconate) before peripheral venous catheter insertion (13).
2. Prepare clean skin with a >0.5% chlorhexidine preparation with alcohol before central
venous catheter and peripheral arterial catheter insertion and during dressing changes.
If there is a contraindication to chlorhexidine, tincture of iodine, an iodophor, or 70%
alcohol can be used as alternatives (13).
3. Antiseptics should be allowed to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendation
prior to placing the catheter (13).
1. Use either sterile gauze or sterile, transparent, semi-permeable dressing to cover the
catheter site (14).
2. If the patient is diaphoretic or if the site is bleeding or oozing, use a gauze dressing
until this is resolved (14).
3. Replace catheter site dressing if the dressing becomes damp, loosened, or visibly
soiled
4. Do not use topical antibiotic ointment or creams on insertion sites, because of their
potential to promote fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance (15).
Iv therapy types
The duration of the treatment and the volume of fluids infused are the primary variations.
What is an iv drip?
an iv drip is a sort of intravenous therapy in which a plastic catheter is placed into a vein and
gradually fed into the bloodstream.
An iv drip is administered by inserting a tiny plastic tube, or catheter, into a vein with a
needle. The needle is swiftly removed once the plastic tube is advanced into the vein.
Iv drips take 45 to 60 minutes to complete, and each session typically involves the injection
of 250 to 1000 ml of fluid.
What is an iv push?
An iv push is slowly administrated into a vein via a previously inserted plastic catheter.
Iv pushes are performed for 15-20 minutes and a total of 30-60 ml of fluids are slowly
pressed into a vein.
Because of the nature of the process, iv pushes are supervised by specialists at all times.
What is in an iv drip?
The contents of an iv drip will vary depending on the treatment being administered. Seeing
as an iv drip is the quickest way to deliver fluids and medications into the bloodstream they
are usually made up of the following:
• Saline solution: a sterile solution of water and salt that is used to provide hydration
and maintain electrolyte balance in the body.
• Glucose solution: a sterile solution of water and glucose (sugar) that provides energy
to the body.
• Nutrients: iv drips can also contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals,
and amino acids that are required for the body to function properly.
When admitted to hospital what is in an iv drip may look a bit different. While it may still
include the fluids mentioned above it can also include:
• Blood products: in some cases, iv drips may blood to restore factors such as red blood
cells, plasma, or platelets to help with conditions like anemia or bleeding disorders or
if the patient has been injured and lost blood.
3. Bacterial
Not use aseptic technique, non-sterile iv system (18).
hematoma localized collection of blood outside the
blood vessels occurs when there is damage to the blood
vessels, controlled by applying cold compresses initially
to reduce swelling, followed by warm compresses to
enhance blood circulation, in severe case surgical remove (18).
Conclusion:
Intravenous therapy is always one of the most important treatments due to its strength and
rapid effect. As it has absolutely no effect from the first pass. It also has many negatives that
may be fatal.
References:
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comprehensive guide - MEDIKART healthcare systems.
https://medikart.co.in/blog/understanding-iv-set-parts-a-comprehensive-guide/#Disclaimer
(3) Doyle, G. R., & McCutcheon, J. A. (2015, November 23). 8.3 IV fluids, IV tubing, and
assessment of an IV system. Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care.
https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/8-2-types-of-iv-therapy/
(4) Lemaire-Hurtel, A., & Alvarez, J. (2014). Drugs involved in Drug-Facilitated Crime
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fingerprinting analysis of coagulase negative staphylococci implicated in catheter related
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https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.55.11.824
(9) Yoo, S., Ha, M., Choi, D., & Pai, H. (2001). Effectiveness of surveillance of central
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(10) Sherertz, R. J., Ely, E. W., Westbrook, D. M., Gledhill, K. S., Streed, S. A., Kiger, B.,
Flynn, L., Hayes, S., Strong, S., Cruz, J., Bowton, D. L., Hulgan, T., & Haponik, E. F.
(2000). Education of physicians-in-training can decrease the risk for vascular catheter
infection. Annals of internal medicine, 132(8), 641–648. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-
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(11) Coopersmith, C. M., Rebmann, T. L., Zack, J. E., Ward, M. R., Corcoran, R. M.,
Schallom, M. E., Sona, C. S., Buchman, T. G., Boyle, W. A., Polish, L. B., & Fraser, V. J.
(2002). Effect of an education program on decreasing catheter-related bloodstream infections
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(13) Maki, D. G., Ringer, M., & Alvarado, C. J. (1991). Prospective randomised trial of
povidone-iodine, alcohol, and chlorhexidine for prevention of infection associated with
central venous and arterial catheters. Lancet (London, England), 338(8763), 339–343.
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)(17) Erdogan, B.C., & Denat, Y. (2016). The Development of Phlebitis and Infiltration in
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