Intravenous Therapy Paper

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Introduction
Intravenous therapy is a great way to provide IV medications into a vein; generally IVs are used only for short term care due to certain risks. Fortunate enough, there are alternatives for long term use, if needed. This paper will define peripherally inserted catheters and central lines. After describing the basic concepts of what a peripherally inserted catheter and central line are; safety, teaching, and care of the lines will be educated throughout.
Central Lines “A central venous catheter, also called a central line, is a long thin, flexible tube used to give medicines, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time, usually several weeks or more.” (Buchman 2011, WebMD). Common uses for central venous catheters are: long term medicine treatment for patients with pain, infection, cancer, kidney failure, and to supply nutrition. (Buchman 2011, WebMD). They can also be used to give blood transfusions at a quick rate, and in opposition can be used to take frequent blood
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Risks for a PICC line include: phlebitis, infection, catheter breaks, air embolism, occluded catheter, etc. Below will be discussed two common potential problems and what to do. “Phlebitis, signs and symptoms: redness, warmth, and tenderness along the vein above the insertion site. Phlebitis usually occurs 3-5 days after the PICC line was inserted.” (Coram 2014, p3). As a patient you should call your infusion nurse, elevate arm on pillows, and apply with warm, moist compress (if instructed by nurse) if these problems arise. Signs of infection: fever with or without chills, swelling/drainage, pain or warmth at the site, muscle aches, and decrease in your activity level due to fatigue.” “Ways to avoid infection are: follow doctors/nurses orders to not contaminate, and wash hands before any procedure.” (Coram 2014,

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