Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) are the most commonly
used intravenous device in hospitalised patients. They are
primarily used for therapeutic purposes such as administration of
medications, fluids and/or blood products as well as blood
sampling.
Pre-Catheterization or Preparation
1. Review Physician’s Order
A physician’s order is necessary to initiate IV therapy. The
physician’s order should include:
- Type of solution to be infused
- Route of administration
- Exact amount (dose) of any medications to be added to a
compatible solution either hourly or 24-hour volume
- Rate of infusion
- Duration of infusion or the time over which the infusion is to
be completed
- Physician’s signature
2. Observe Hand Hygiene Procedures
Indications for handwashing and hand antisepsis
- Wash hands with either a non antimicrobial soap and water or an
antimicrobial soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or
contaminated with blood or other body fluids.
- If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub
to avoid routinely contaminating hands in all other clinical
situations.
- Decontaminate hands before having direct contact with
patients
- Do not wear artificial fingernails or extenders when having
direct contact with patients at high risk
3. Gather Equipment
Prepare and gather the equipment needed for starting the IV.
Always check for the fluid’s expiration date.
- Inspect solution container for integrity.
- Glass containers. Hold up to light to look for
cracks, clarity, particulate contamination, and expiration
date.
- Plastic containers. Squeeze to check for
pinholes, clarity, particulate contamination, and expiration
date.
- Inspect administration set
- Choose the appropriate set: vented or nonvented
- Gather venipuncture and dressing supplies
- Catheter (22 g, 20 g, or 28 g most common)
- Dressing (gauze or TSM)
- Tape: 1-inch paper
- Prepping solution
- Gloves 2×2 gauze
4. Patient Assessment and Psychological
Preparation
It’s important to also prepare the patient on the
procedure.
- Introduce self and verify the client’s identity.
- Provide privacy
- Explain the procedure to the client. A venipuncture can cause
discomfort for a few seconds, but there should be no discomforts
while the solution is flowing.
- Evaluate the patient preparedness for IV procedure by talking
with patient before assessing veins
Patient Information to Consider
- Patient’s medical diagnosis.
- History of chronic disease that places patient at risk for
complications.
- History of vasovagal reactions during venipuncture or when
blood is seen.
- Has the patient had vascular access devices?
- Will the patient be going home with the catheter?
- If cultural barrier exists, take more time; speak slowly and
distinctly but not louder. Use pictures. Keep messages simple, and
use interpreter to improve communication.
- Assess both arms and hand prior to choosing appropriate
vein.
- Choose the lowest best site for size catheter being inserted
and type of therapy the patient will receive.
- Assess for any allergies (e.g., to tape or
povidone-iodine)
- Vital signs for baseline data
- Skin turgor
- Allergy to latex, tape or iodine
- Bleeding tendencies
- Disease or injury to extremities
- Status of veins to determine appropriate venipuncture site
5. Site Selection and Vein Dilation
There are several factors you need to consider before initiating
venipunctures:
- Type of solution to be infused.Hypertonic
solutions and medications are irritating to vein.
- Condition of vein. Use soft, straight, bouncy
vein; if you run your finger down the vein and it feels like a
cat’s tail — avoid! Avoid veins near previously infected
areas.
- Duration of therapy.Choose a vein that can
support IV therapy for 72–96 hours.
- Catheter size. Hemodilution is important.The
gauge of the catheter should be as small as possible.
- Patient age. Elderly and children need
additional time for assessment and management of insertion.
- Patient activity. Ambulatory patients using
crutches or walker need catheter placement above the wrist.
- Presence of disease or previous surgery.
Patients with vascular disease or dehydration may have limited
venous access. If a patient has a condition causing poor vascular
return (mastectomy, stroke), the affected side must be
avoided.
- Presence of shunts or graft. Do not use the
arm or hand that has a patent graft or shuntfor dialysis.
- Patient receiving anticoagulation therapy.
Patients receiving anticoagulant therapy have a propensity to
bleed. Local ecchymoses and major hemorrhagic complications can be
avoided if the nurse is aware of the anticoagulant therapy.
Precautions: Minimal tourniquet pressure; use the smallest catheter
that is appropriate for therapy; use care in removing
dressing.
- Patient with allergies. Question regarding
allergies to medications, foods, animals, and environmental
substances. Identify the allergens:
- Iodine. Avoid povidone-iodine as skin
preparation
- Latex. Set up latex allergy cart
Vein dilation techniques
Use the techniques below to dilate the vein:
- Tourniquet. Latex or nonlatex used most
frequently. Placed 6–8 inches above the venipuncture site. If BP
high, move farther from venipuncture site. If BP low, move as close
as possible without risking site contamination.
- Gravity. Position the extremity lower than the
heart.
- Fist clenching. Instruct patient to open and
close his/her fist.
- Tapping vein. Using thumb and second finger,
flick the vein; this releases histamines beneath the skin and
causes dilation. Do not slap the vein.
- Warm compresses. 10 minutes maximum. Do not
use microwave!
- Blood pressure cuff. Inflate to 30 mmHg; great
for fragile veins.
- Multiple tourniquet technique. Use 2 to 3
latex tourniquets; apply one high on arm and leave for 2 minutes;
apply second at mid arm below antecubital fossa; collateral veins
should appear; apply third if needed.
Tips for selecting veins
- Suitable vein should feel relatively smooth and pliable, with
valves well spaced.
- Start with distal veins and work proximally.
- Veins that feel bumpy (like running your finger over a cat’s
tail) are usually thrombosed or extremely valvular. Veins will be
difficult to stabilize in a patient who has recently lost
weight.
- Sclerotic veins are common among narcotic addicts.
- Dialysis patients usually know which veins are good for
venipunctures.
Recommended gauges :
Size |
Color |
Recommended use |
14G |
Orange |
In massive trauma situations. |
16G |
Gray |
Trauma, surgeries, or multiple large-volume infusions |
18G |
Green |
Blood transfusion, or large volume infusions. |
20G |
Pink |
Multi-purpose IV; for medications, hydration, and routine
therapies. |
22G |
Blue |
Most chemo infusions; patients with small veins; elderly or
pediatric patients |
24G |
Yellow |
Very fragile veins; elderly or pediatric patients |
3. Site Preparation
Once you’ve don your gloves, you’ll be now preparing the site of
insertion.
- Apply antimicrobial solution, working from center outward in a
circular motion for 2-3 inches for 20 seconds. Use enough
friction.
- Do not shave site. Shaving can cause micro
abrasions; remove hair with scissors or clippers only.
- Depilatories not recommended. Potential for
allergic reaction.
- Do not apply 70% isopropyl alcohol after povidone-iodine
preparation. Alcohol negates the effect of povidone-iodine.
- Cleanse insertion site with one of the following
solutions:
- 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate (preferred)
- Iodophor (povidone-iodine)
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol
- Tincture of iodine 2%
Insertion of Catheter into Vein
1 place the extremity in a dependentposition (lower than
the client’s heart). Gravity slows venous return and
distends the veins. Distending the veins makes it easier to insert
the needle properly.
2 apply a tourniquet firmly 15 to 2 cm above the
venipuncture site. Explain that it will feel
tight.Tourniquet must be tight enough to occlude venous
flow but not so tight that it occludes arterial flow. Obstructing
arterial flow inhibits venous filling. If a radial pulse can be
palpated, the arterial flow is not obstructed.
- Massage or stroke the vein distal to the site and in the
direction of venous flow toward the heart. This action helps fill
the vein.
- Encourage the client to and unclench the fist. Contracting
muscles compresses the distal veins, forcing blood along the veins
and distending them.
- Light tap the vein with your fingertips. Tapping may distend
the vein.
- If the preceding steps fail to distend the vein so that it is
palpable, remove the tourniquet and wrap the extremity in a warm,
moist towel for 10 to 15 minutes. Heart dilates superficial blood
vessels, causing them to fill. Then repeat step 1.
3. Put on clean gloves and clean the venipuncture
site. Gloves protect the nurse from contamination by the
client’s blood.
- Clean the site with topical antiseptic swab. Some may use
anti-infective solution such as povidone-iodine. Check for
allergies.
- Use a circular motion, moving from the center outward for
several inches. This motion carries microorganisms away from the
site entry.
- Permit solution to dry on the skin. Povidone-iodine should be
in contact with the skin for 1 minute to be effective.
Insert the catheter and initiate infusion.
4 use the nondominant hand to pull the skin taut below
the entry site.
This stabilizes the vein and makes the skin taut for needle entry.
It can also make initial tissue penetration less painful.
5 hold the over-the-needle catheter at a 15-to 30-degree
angle with bevel up, insert the catheter through the skin and into
the vein.
Sudden lack of resistance is felt as the needle enters the vein.
Jabbing, stabbing or quick thrusting should be avoided because it
may cause rupture of delicate veins.
6 advance the needle catheter approximately 1
cm.
Once blood appears in the lumen or you feel the lack of resistance,
lower the angle of the catheter until it almost parallel with the
skin and advance the needle catheter approximately 1 cm.
7 holding the needle portion steady, advance the
catheter until the hub is at the venipuncture site.
The catheter is advanced to ensure that it, and not just the metal
needle, is in the vein.
8 Release the tourniquet.
9Apply pressure.
Put pressure on the vein proximal to the catheter to eliminate or
reduce blood oozing out of the catheter. Stabilize the hub with
thumb and index finger of the nondominant hand.
10Remove the protective cap from the distal end of the
tubing.
Hold it ready to attach to the catheter, maintaining the sterility
to the end.
11Remove the needle.
Carefully remove the needle, engage the needle safety device, and
attach the end of the infusion tubing to the catheter hub.
12 Initiate the infusion.
13 Tape the catheter. Tape the
catheter by the “U” method or according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. Using three strips of tape (about 3 inches long).
14 dress and label the venipuncture site and tubing
according to agency policy. Label should have date on
which administration set must be changed. The venipuncture site
should also be labeled with the date and time, and type and length
of catheter.