Definition of Infusion – Nursing is a profession within the healthcare sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other healthcare providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. Nurses practice in many specialisms with differing levels of prescriber authority.
Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. However, nurses are permitted by most jurisdictions to practice independently in a variety of settings depending on training level. In the postwar period, nurse education has undergone a process of diversification towards advanced and specialized credentials, and many of the traditional regulations and provider roles are changing.
Nurses develop a plan of care, working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family, and other team members, that focus on treating illness to improve quality of life. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team such as therapists, medical practitioners, and dietitians. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.
Definition of Infusion:
In medicine, infusion therapy deals with all aspects of fluid and medication infusion, via intravenous or subcutaneous application.
Or,
Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration is called an intravenous drip.
Definition of Intravenous infusion:
Intravenous infusion means administration of a large amount of fluid into the blood stream (vein) through an intravenous catheter or butter fly needle or I/V cannula inserted into the peripheral vein to replace fluid losses, supply calories intake or as carrying solution for medication.
Purposes Of Intravenous Infusion Therapy:
- To supply fluid when clients are unable to take in an adequate volume of fluids by mouth
- To provide salts and other electrolytes needed to maintain electrolyte imbalance
- To provide glucose (dextrose), the main fuel for metabolism To provide water-solubl
- To establish a lifeline for rapidly needed medications.
Golden Rule of IV Therapy:
- Preplan as much as possible.
- Use aseptic technique.
- Know how to use the products selected.
- Understand the associated risks.
- Know how to deal with the risks.
- Know when to seek extra help and from whom,
- Evaluate patient factors.
- Avoid unnecessary interference with the lines.
- Keep good documentation.
- Know the local protocols and understand the reasons behind them.
Indications for I/V Infusion:
- Persistent vomiting.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Excessive haemorrhage.
- When oral feeding is undesirable, ineffective or insufficient e.g. operative patients, abdominal pain, unconscious patients, gastric suction, severe burn etc.
Procedure of I/V infusion:
A. Articles required for I/V infusion:
A clean tray with cover containing-
1. Infusion set
2. Sterile solution in container or antiseptic lotion.
3. Adhesive tape.
4. Clean gloves.
5. Tourniquet.
6. Antiseptic swab or cotton swab.
7. I/V cannula or catheter or butterfly needle.
8. Arm splint (optional)
9. Towel or pad.
10. Kidney tray.
11. Mackintosh or water proof pad.
12. I/V infusion (saline or solution) E.g.:
- Dextrose saline.
- Normal saline.
- Cholera saline.
- Hartmann’s solution Nutrisol etc
B. Procedure
1. Place the extremity in a dependent position (lower than the client’s heart). Gravity slows venous return and distends the veins. Distending the veins makes it easier toinsert the needle properly.
2. Apply a tourniquet firmly 15 to 2 cm above the venipuncture site. Explain that it will feel tight.
3. Put on clean gloves and clean the venipuncture site. Gloves protect the nurse from contamination by the client’s blood.
4. Use the no dominant hand to pull the skin taut below the entry site. This stabilizes the vein and makes the skin taut for needle entry. It can also make initial tissue penetration less painful.
5. Hold the over-the-needle catheter at a 15-to 30-degree angle with bevel up, insert the catheter through the skin and into the vein
6. Advance the needle catheter approximately 1 cm. Once blood appears in the lumen or you feel the lack of resistance, lower the angle of the catheter until it almost parallel with the skin and advance the needle catheter approximately 1 cm.
7. Holding the needle portion steady, advance the catheter until the hub is at the venipuncture site. The catheter is advanced to ensure that it, and not just the metal needle, is in the vein.
8. Release the tourniquet
9. Apply pressure. Put pressure on the vein proximal to the catheter to eliminate or reduce blood oozing out of the catheter.
10. Stabilize the hub with thumb and index finger of the no dominant hand.
11. Remove the protective cap from the distal end of the tubing. Hold it ready to attach to the catheter, maintaining the sterility to the end.
12. Remove the needle. Carefully remove the needle, engage the needle safety device, and attach the end of the infusion tubing to the catheter hub. Initiate the infusion.
13. Tape the catheter. Tape the catheter by the “U” method or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using three strips of tape (about 3 inches long).
14. Dress and label the venipuncture site and tubing according to agency policy.
15. Document the relevant data, including assessments.
Complication of Intravenous Therapy:
- Infiltration.
- Infusion phlebitis
- Thrombosis.
- Pyrogenic reaction.
- Air embolism.
- Circulatory overload.
- Speed shock.
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