IV nursing, or infusion nursing, involves administering intravenous therapy, including medication, nutrition, and blood transfusions. Nurses must have a degree in nursing and a license as a registered nurse, as well as specialized training in IV nursing. They are responsible for inserting the IV line, monitoring patients for infection, and administering the correct drug doses and flow rates. Infusion nurses may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient infusion centers, or in home care settings.
IV nursing, also called infusion nursing, is the nursing of patients who require intravenous (IV) therapy. Infusion nurses may be responsible for administering IV food or medication, administering blood transfusions, cleaning a tube insertion site, monitoring the patient for infection, knowing IV drug interactions, knowing the different indications for patients of varying ages and conditions, and initiation of emergency procedures, among other tasks. Nurses in this field must have an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in nursing, as well as a license as a registered nurse (RN). The registered nurse must specialize in IV nursing and pass the Certified Certified Nurse Infusion (CRNI) exam.
Intravenous therapy generally refers to the direct delivery of nutrients or medication through a blood vessel. Many patients can eat during this therapy, but those who rely exclusively on intravenous nutrition are called total parenteral nutrition (TPN) patients. This method of feeding is used in patients who have impaired or non-functioning digestive systems due to surgery, coma, illness or trauma, or in patients who need to rest their bowels. Often, intravenous therapy is used to administer antineoplastic agents, or drugs that block the abnormal reproduction of cells that result in masses called neoplasms. Blood transfusions, a procedure in which blood is transferred from one person and given to another patient who is deficient in healthy blood, is also performed intravenously.
The responsibility most popularly associated with IV nursing is inserting the IV line, a hollow needle connected to a catheter that delivers fluids directly into the pierced vein. The catheter, or tube, is attached to a bag of fluids containing necessary nutrition and medications. Fluids can drip continuously with the help of gravity or with a regulating device called an infusion pump that measures how much fluid the patient receives in a 24-hour period. Fluids can also be administered intermittently by disconnecting the patient from the catheter after each feeding. Fluids can also be pushed directly into the vein with a syringe.
Most IVs are placed in the arm or hand. To start an IV, a tourniquet is tied above the insertion site and the patient is asked to squeeze the wrist to enlarge the vein, making it easier to see. After finding the best vein, the area is cleaned, the skin is stretched, and the nurse inserts the needle into the vein at a 30 to 45 degree angle. In addition to in-line insertions, IV nursing includes the tasks of balancing fluids and electrolytes, monitoring vital signs, adjusting the patient’s nutritional status, administering fluids to prevent vein closure, cleaning the tube, preventing infections, and changing gauze in place. of needle insertion.
Infusion nurses must be able to determine the correct drug doses and flow rates and identify the right drug. For this reason, IV nursing training includes courses in pharmacology or the study of drugs and drug interactions. Infusion nurses may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient infusion centers, or in home care settings. Some patients can independently administer fluids at home, while others may need a professional. For those who cannot afford IV nursing at home, outpatient infusion centers are often a more cost-effective option.
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