Which aspect of intravenous therapy could the nurse safely ...

[DyllonKazuo]

Which aspect of intravenous therapy could the nurse safely delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
 
  1. Watching the IV insertion site of the client who complained of pain at the site
  2. Changing the IV site dressing on the client's left hand
  3. Reporting client's complaints of pain or leakage from the IV site when bathing the client
  4. Replacing client's IV solution when bag runs dry if it is only D5W, without medications added

Question 2

Which clients may benefit from central venous IV access? Select all that apply.
 
  1. The client requiring long-term IV therapy
  2. The client receiving caustic IV therapy
  3. The client requiring numerous IV infusions that are not compatible and cannot be infused together
  4. The unstable client requiring reliable IV access for administration of medications required immediately
  5. The client who is afraid of needles and does not want a catheter in the peripheral extremity

[joanwhite]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3

The UAP can safely be taught to report complaints of pain or leakage from an IV site if it is noted during routine care, but the UAP is not responsible for assessing the site, because the nurse is responsible for all assessments. The IV dressing should be changed using sterile technique, and should not be delegated to the UAP. Whether medications are added to the IV fluid or not, only the nurse can change the bag, because sterile technique is required, and even a plain solution is considered a medication.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,4

Central venous access can be very useful for clients requiring long-term IV therapy because the catheter can remain in place for extended periods, and IV sites do not have to be changed every few days. Caustic medications are less likely to cause phlebitis when administered into the large central veins as opposed to the smaller peripheral veins. In the critical care areas where clients may receive numerous continuous IV medication drips that might not all be compatible infusing through the same site, a multiple-port central venous access device can provide the best option. Clients who are unstable and require rapid administration of medications require reliable IV access that might not be available with peripheral IV lines, and central venous access may be the best option. Because of the potential complications from central venous access, it would not be an option considered because of client preference if short-term IV therapy is required.