The goal with an IV infusion is to produce a controlled delivery of a substance into the bloodstream over time. Infusion times will vary based on what is a safe drip rate for a given medication or supplement. Like IV injections, IV infusions deliver the medication directly into the bloodstream, leading to rapid absorption and more noticeable immediate effects.
Some infusion treatments may be given into the skin and muscles, but IV infusion is the most prominent form of infusion therapy available today. Read : Infusion Therapy Guide for Patients. For most people, an IV drip is not part of their routine. It may be an expected part of hospitalization from surgery or acute illness, but nothing more.
For patients with chronic diseases or special medical needs, however, an IV can become a vital piece of living a normal life. Some of the most common reasons for receiving an IV are:.
Since an IV delivers fluid directly into the bloodstream, it is the most efficient way to rehydrate the body. IV hydration is commonly used to manage hydration levels during surgery as well as to rehydrate patients who have lost fluids due to illness or excessive physical activity. Patients can also receive IV infusions of electrolytes and vitamins when needed. In certain cases patients may be unable to take oral antibiotics, or the infection might be resistant to the available oral medication options.
The effective medication in these situations is often IV antibiotics , which are stronger and work more quickly than the oral alternatives. IV chemotherapy is the most common form of chemotherapy given today. It sends the medication directly into the bloodstream through a vein in the arm, hand, or chest in order to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Biologic medications , Intravenous Immunoglobulin IVIg , and other medications have proven an effective management program for patients suffering from certain chronic conditions and autoimmune diseases, such as:.
While substances given through an IV carry their own risk of side effects, complications from the IV itself — when administered properly — are fairly minimal. Avoid placing it near a flexing joint and make sure you fixate the catheter. Always flush with saline to verify it is in the vein and to clean the catheter. These are four important steps to keep in mind in the IV cannulation procedure. But there are more to bear in mind. The benefits are to save the patient from additional venepuncture and to save time.
A rule of thumb is to choose as small catheter size as possible to maintain maximum blood flow around the catheter. A small catheter will also minimise the risk of damage to the blood vessel. The colour is correlating to a gauge size G according to the applicable ISO-standard. The biggest diameter for IV catheters is 14G and the smallest is 26G. The most common site for an IV catheter is the forearm, the back of the hand or the antecubital fossa.
The catheters are for peripheral use and should be placed where veins are easy to access and have good blood flow, although the easiest accessible site is not always the most suitable. A bent or kinked catheter can be a source of complications. Look for as straight veins as possible and palpate for good elasticity and filling. Try to avoid stiff or very thin veins, also veins under sore skin. For the smallest patients, babies and neonates, the veins on the ankle, close to the foot, are often preferred due to easier access there.
When the best vein available is identified and right size of catheter is chosen, the next step is insertion. It must be applied minutes before the procedure to have time to numb the skin. Plastic is put over the cream to keep it in place. It will be wiped off when time for the IV to be placed. This device uses pressurized gas to spray lidocaine quickly onto the skin. It makes a hissing or popping sound similar to opening a can of soda. It numbs the area within a minute. Other techniques can be used to help patients manage the pain of the needle stick.
Parents may want to ask a child life specialist to be present during the IV procedure. Child life specialists are trained to help explain medical procedures to children and teens and to help them cope. One pain management method is distraction. Patients can talk to someone or listen to someone reading to them. They can watch a video on an electronic tablet or listen to music. Younger patients may want their parents to hold them during the procedure.
Relaxation is another technique. Activities may include deep breathing, watching soap bubbles, or listening to relaxing music or nature sounds.
Child life specialists or parents can use a form of guided imagery with the patient. Using guided imagery, the patient focuses on the details colors, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings of an imagined pleasant experience. A nurse ties a tourniquet and presses to find the best vein for an IV.
The nurse cleans the area where she will place the IV. The patient is then ready for procedures that require an IV. It will remain in the vein until the tube is taken out later. These medicines work to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Imaging tests produce detailed pictures of soft tissues, organs, and bones inside the body. In childhood cancer, these images show a tumor's location. Childhood cancers are rare, complex diseases that may occur anytime between birth through the late teens.
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