IV's...

I can officially do IV's on a person now. Yahoo!!!

There are many steps to inserting an IV and it is a lot harder then it actually looks. When I get to do this in a clinical setting I only get one chance, then the real nurse will take over. (unless my patient will let me try again).

Step 1: Gather all the supplies. (IV pump, IV fluid, Insertion kit, tape, j-loop, gauze, alcohol wipes, and a saline flush.

Step 2: Enter patients room

Step 3: Wash hands

Step 4: Introduce Self

Step 5: Identify the patient

Step 6: Inform patient what you are doing to them. Especially tell them that a needle really isn't left inside their arm, it's a little catheter.

Step 7: Select the proper site (usually the non-dominant hand)

Step 8: Place the tourniquet on the arm and palpate for a vein. Once the vein is found RELEASE THE TOURNIQUET!!!

Step 9: Make sure that all the supplies are ready. (ie... saline flush is attached to the j-loop, tape is ready.. things like that)

Step 10: Gloves on

Step 11: Apply the tourniquet again

Step 12: Clean the site with cholorahexidine or alcohol wipes. Wait for it to dry.

Step 13: Warn the patient that a stick is going to come, pull the skin taut and stick the patient with the needle bevel side up. Go in at and angle (slight angle) and then make the needle parallel to the skin. Insert until blood return and then insert 1/4 of an inch more.

Step 14: Push the catheter in while pulling the needle out (not all the way though or blood will come spewing out).

Step 15: RELEASE THE TOURNIQUET!

Step 16: Apply firm pressure above the insertion site to stop blood flow while needle is pulled out.

Step 17: Attach the j-loop to catheter. (release pressure above insertion site)

Step 18: Flush the IV and attach the actual IV line to it.

Step 19: Apply the occlusive dressing and tape it all down.

Step 20: Remove gloves and ask patient how the IV feels.

After clean up all supplies and document.

And that folks is the first official thing I have learned this semester.