IV anatomy and physiology

Integumentary System

• Components include skin, nails, hair, and glands with specific receptors

• Considered the largest organ in the body

• Essential for survival

• Performs diverse activities

• First line of defense against disease

• Regulates body temperature

• Epidermis is the outermost layer, with varying thicknesses and multiple layers

• Dermis is thicker, highly sensitive, and vascular, reacting quickly to stimuli like pain, temperature, and pressure

• Superficial fascia lies below the dermis, containing superficial veins.

• Variations in thickness impact infection spread potential from venipuncture

• Hair root damage during shaving causes pain; issues with tape adhesion might also occur.

• Sebaceous glands, mostly where hair follicles are located, secrete oil to maintain skin moisture.

• Sweat glands produce sweat for thermoregulation.

Respiratory System

• Function is to deliver oxygen to the body's tissues and remove carbon dioxide and water waste.

• The system maintains acidic-base balance via carbonic acid production.

• Gas exchange facilitates oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release using diffusion. Deoxygenated blood enters the pulmonary artery, oxygen in the alveoli and carbon dioxide from the capillary bed exchange to maintain gas concentration gradient, and oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium via pulmonary veins.

• Precautions for intravenous (IV) therapy include monitoring lung sounds, respiratory issues, and daily weights and input/output (I&O). Fluid overload can impair oxygen exchange

Urinary System

• Functions to help regulate fluid, electrolytes, facilitate waste removal, and regulate blood pressure.

• The functional unit is the nephron, which includes the filtering unit (glomerulus), and afferent and efferent arterioles that aid blood filtering and maintain glomerular pressure

• Bladder is a hollow muscular sac located behind the pubic symphysis with a capacity of 700-800ml. Urine storage and voiding occur between 250 ml and 400ml levels, which are monitored by the stretch receptors.

• Hormones like ADH from the posterior pituitary regulate water conservation in the kidneys and Aldosterone from adrenal glands influence sodium retention and subsequent water conservation.

• Urine is primarily water containing electrolytes (e.g., sodium and potassium) and nitrogenous wastes (e.g., urea). Urine color ranges from clear yellow to amber. Protein, blood cells, glucose, or bacteria in urine often imply damage to the glomerulus.

• IV therapy monitoring for fluid overload, edema, daily weight, and urine characteristics are vital nursing actions.

Circulatory System

• Main parts comprise the pulmonary circulation (blood flow through the heart and lungs using right side of the heart) and the systemic circulation (blood flow throughout the body, using the left side of the heart).

• Central circulation comprises structures like the right atrium (RA), tricuspid valve, right ventricle (RV), pulmonary artery, lungs, pulmonary vein, left atrium (LA), mitral valve, left ventricle (LV), and the aortic valve

• Systemic circulation encompasses arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. The superior and inferior vena cavas return blood to the heart.

• Systemic veins are often located in the superficial fascia, while deep veins are usually located within the same sheath.

• Artery puncture causes pulsating backflow, rapid blood filling into the tubing, and continuous beeping/increased pressure indicators. Blood is bright red and produces significant pain due to vasospasm and muscle tissue puncture.

• Prevention involves avoiding pulsating sites and knowing common vein locations.

• Peripheral veins for IV insertion include digital, metacarpal, cephalic, basilic, upper cephalic, median, antecubital, and jugular veins; locations vary for different body areas (hands, forearms, etc.)

Test your knowledge on the integumentary and respiratory systems. This quiz covers the components, functions, and significance of these essential systems in the body. Understand the intricacies of skin, glands, and the respiratory process to enhance your learning.