IV Insertion and Medication Administration

Reduces herpes symptoms but does not eliminate the infection or stop virus spread.

Avoid sexual activity with sores or symptoms; always use barrier protection (latex/polyurethane condoms), even without sores.

Take medication with plenty of water, with or without food, on a regular schedule, and stay hydrated.

Possible side effects include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Contact provider if persistent or worsening.

A group of antiviral medications that inhibit viral DNA replication, used in herpes treatment.

Acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, and famciclovir are examples of these types of medications.

Avoid veins with dialysis shunts, AV fistulas, infections, scarring, burns, surgeries, paralysis, recent infiltrations, extravasation, or phlebitis; and sites distal to previous punctures

Monitor for side effects (headache, nausea) and therapeutic response (absence of lesions, symptoms) during antiviral therapy.

Avoid veins in arms with dialysis shunts, AV fistulas, infections, scarring, burns, surgeries, CVA paralysis side, recent infiltrations, extravasations, phlebitis, or distal to previous punctures.

Prepare the needed tools and supplies for IV insertion.

Use the necessary precautions (alcohol or chlorhexidine) to prevent infections during IV insertion.

Apply a tourniquet 6-8 inches above the intended insertion site, use it for short duration and maintain pressure.

Massage veins and/or clench patient's fist as needed for better visibility/access of vein.

Intravenous fluids are classified as isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic based on their concentration compared to bodily fluids.

Isotonic IV fluids have the same concentration as blood plasma, therefore they do not significantly shift fluid between cells and blood vessels.

Infection of the soft connective tissue around IV insertion site caused by poor aseptic practice

Key aspect of medication administration—ensuring correct patient, medication, dosage, route, and time.

Monitor patients during and after administering IV medications; be prepared for possible adverse reactions and appropriate treatment.

A fluid with a lower solute concentration than the cells. Water moves into cells, causing them to swell.

A fluid with a higher solute concentration than the cells. Water moves out of cells, causing them to shrink.

Valacyclovir, a guanosine analog, interferes with viral DNA replication by inserting into replicating viral DNA, halting viral DNA synthesis and replication.

Headache, nausea, skin rash, itching (pruritus).

Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity), severe allergic reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema), neurological issues (agitation, tremors), or even seizures or coma.

A group of DNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus.

An antiviral medication used to treat herpesvirus infections.

Initial assessment of a patient's symptoms to compare with future assessment of infection: lesion location, pain, itching, drainage.

Perform a baseline assessment before administering valacyclovir and compare future assessment results with original report; note current symptoms and their severity to monitor treatment success or alert to side effects.

Intravenous medications are used to expand blood volume, correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances, provide nourishment and calories, administer medications, transfuse blood products, and facilitate diagnostic testing.

Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose.

Antidote for opioid overdose.

Antidote for heparin overdose.

Antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.

Antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose.

Commonly ordered hypotonic IV fluids include 0.45%NS (half-normal saline), 0.33%NS, and 0.2%NS.

Hypotonic fluids are contraindicated in patients with increased intracranial pressure, dehydration, or trauma.

Dehydration, hyperglycemic conditions like DKA/HHNS that draw fluid out of cells and into the intravascular space.

Cerebral edema, hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood)