Teaching IV Therapy to Pediatric Nurses
One of the most common skills that is required of a nurse today is to be able to start a peripheral IV. While all nursing students go through IV therapy and understand the anatomy and concept of putting an IV in an adult, pediatric patients bring a different type of strain, not only to the nurse, but to the patient as well. This article focused on several important considerations when placing a peripheral IV in a pediatric patient and specific challenges that might hinder success of starting an IV. It also provided insight on how to provide adequate instruction through simulation. The need for this type of training is becoming more relevant since many organizations are now indicating that pain associated with an IV is becoming a problem. The encouragement of using topical anesthetics before the technical skill is completed is starting to become a standard. Its agreed upon that infants and children feel just as much pain as adults do. Nurses are responsible for starting 18 million IV’s in kids in the U.S. alone each year (Etzel-Hardman, 2008). It’s recommended a child life specialist now accompany the nurse to help allow distractions while the task is completed (Etzel-Hardman, …show more content…
Stressors as simple as the patient crying can not only affect the child, but the nurse as well and effect the outcome of success. New methods to aide in successful placement of peripheral IV’s included training on stations such as an IV pump station, the use of an mannequin arm and even a new simulation station (Etzel-Hardman, 2008). Additionally, nurses must be aware that children posses a different anatomy then that of an adult and assessment and selection of correct equipment become a vital part of
One of the most common skills that is required of a nurse today is to be able to start a peripheral IV. While all nursing students go through IV therapy and understand the anatomy and concept of putting an IV in an adult, pediatric patients bring a different type of strain, not only to the nurse, but to the patient as well. This article focused on several important considerations when placing a peripheral IV in a pediatric patient and specific challenges that might hinder success of starting an IV. It also provided insight on how to provide adequate instruction through simulation. The need for this type of training is becoming more relevant since many organizations are now indicating that pain associated with an IV is becoming a problem. The encouragement of using topical anesthetics before the technical skill is completed is starting to become a standard. Its agreed upon that infants and children feel just as much pain as adults do. Nurses are responsible for starting 18 million IV’s in kids in the U.S. alone each year (Etzel-Hardman, 2008). It’s recommended a child life specialist now accompany the nurse to help allow distractions while the task is completed (Etzel-Hardman, …show more content…
Stressors as simple as the patient crying can not only affect the child, but the nurse as well and effect the outcome of success. New methods to aide in successful placement of peripheral IV’s included training on stations such as an IV pump station, the use of an mannequin arm and even a new simulation station (Etzel-Hardman, 2008). Additionally, nurses must be aware that children posses a different anatomy then that of an adult and assessment and selection of correct equipment become a vital part of