Intravenous Injection Procedures

• Intravenous injections are performed by Fundamental Staff at Delta University's Faculty of Nursing

Objectives of Intravenous Injections

• Successfully describe safe administration of intravenous injections
• Understand intravenous injection
• Discuss intravenous injection indications
• List good vein characteristics
• List intravenous injection equipment and supplies required
• Demonstrate steps of intravenous insertion

Definition of Intravenous Injections

• Administering medications, fluids, blood, or nutrients into a vein
• Can be administered intermittently or continuously

Indications for Intravenous Injections

• When rapid action is needed (emergency)
• When large amounts of fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients are needed
• In situations where other routes are unsuitable for administering fluids and blood transfusions

Good Vein Characteristics

• Visible
• Straight
• Soft
• Choose sites above previous insertion points
• Veins that refill after being depressed
• Large lumen
• Well-supported/immobile
• Bouncy/elastic
• Easily palpable
• Not bridging joints

Equipment for Intravenous Injections

• Tray
• Clean gloves
• Tourniquet
• Alcohol swab
• Sterile syringe of appropriate size
• Dry sponge
• Adhesive tape
• Sharp container (safety box)

Procedure for Intravenous Injections

• Verify the doctor's orders
• Hand washing and wearing disposable gloves reduce microorganisms
• Prepare the required equipment
• Identify the patient, explain the procedure, and relieve patient's anxiety to gain his cooperation
• Inspect the patient's hands and forearm to select a vein puncture site
• Apply a tourniquet 4-5 inches above the selected site, tight enough to impede venous return but not occlude, facilitates observation and puncture of distended veins
• Instruct the patient to open and close their fist several times to promote venous distention
• Examine the selected vein by lightly flicking your index finger against it, when distended, it feels spongy
• Clean the site with an alcohol swab and control infection, move from far to near for 2 inches, and allow the area to dry
• Stretch the skin taut, stabilize the vein with your non-dominant hand, and avoid touching the disinfected area to smooth insertion of the needle or cannula and decrease patient discomfort
• Hold the needle with the bevel up and enter the skin slightly to the side of the vein at a 10-25 degree angle; decreased resistance will be felt as the needle enters the vein with blood return onto the hub
• Once blood return is obtained, decrease the needle's angle and carefully advance it to facilitate observation and puncture of distended veins
• Withdraw a small amount of blood by the syringe to ensure the needle is still inside the vein
• The tourniquet is then released to facilitates observation and puncture of distended veins
• Inject the medication slowly while observing the skin to avoid complications
• Remove the needle, press the site with a dry sponge for 3-5 minutes, and apply a plaster to avoid bleeding
• Discard waste in the sharp container without recapping the syringe, and avoid infection
• Remove gloves, wash hands to prevent cross-infection
• Document the drug name, time, flow rate, cannula insertion date, any adverse signs like infiltration, hematoma, or phlebitis, and sign, confirming placement within the vein