Nursing Interventions for IV Therapy

- Nursing interventions for IV therapy are the actions that nurses take to ensure the safety and effectiveness of IV therapy. Some of the nursing interventions for IV therapy are:

- Pre-IV Therapy Interventions

• Verify the order for IV therapy and gather all the necessary materials.
• Identify the patient using two identifiers and explain the procedure, purpose, and potential risks. Obtain informed consent if required.
• Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
• Select an appropriate IV site and apply a tourniquet about 4 inches above it. Assess for a suitable vein by palpating for bounce and observing for color and size.
• Cleanse the site with an aseptic cleanser using a circular motion from the center outward. Allow it to dry completely.

- Intra-IV Therapy Interventions

• Insert the needle into the vein at a 10 to 30-degree angle, with the bevel up. Advance it until you see a flash of blood in the chamber.
• Lower the angle of the needle and advance it slightly further into the vein. Slide the catheter off the needle and into the vein until only the hub is visible.
• Release the tourniquet and activate the safety mechanism on the needle. Dispose of it in a sharps container.
• Attach the IV fluid or saline lock to the hub of the catheter. Flush it with saline using a syringe and check for blood return and signs of infiltration or phlebitis.
• Stabilize and secure the catheter with Opsite or tape strips. Cover it with an occlusive dressing that allows visualization of the site.

Label the dressing with your initials, date, time, gauge, and lot number of the catheter.

Adjust the infusion rate according to the order and monitor the patient for any adverse reactions or complications.

- Post-IV Therapy Interventions

Discontinue the IV when ordered or indicated by removing the dressing, the catheter, and applying pressure to the site with gauze.

Inspect the catheter tip for intactness and report any missing fragments.

Apply a sterile dressing to the site and observe for bleeding or hematoma.

Document the procedure, the site, the type and amount of fluid or medication, the infusion rate, the patient’s response, and any interventions or outcomes.