Chapter 35 Intravenous Medications

Question Is the following statement true or false? The intravenous (IV) route of drug administration is considered the most dangerous route.

Answer True. The intravenous (IV) route of drug administration is considered the most dangerous route.

Intravenous Medication Administration Intravenous (IV) route: administration via peripheral and central veins is immediately effective and the most dangerous Situations for administering IV: Clients have disorders affecting the absorption or metabolism of drugs Quick response is needed during an emergency

Intravenous Medication Administration (cont’d) Situations for administering IV (cont’d): Blood levels of drugs must be maintained at a consistent therapeutic level Client wants to avoid repeated painful intramuscular injections A mechanism is needed to administer drug therapy over a prolonged period, as with cancer

Administering Medications Through an Intravenous Port

Intravenous Medication Administration (cont’d) Continuous administration: continuous drip; adding medication to a large volume Intermittent administration: short-term parenteral administration of medication 3 types: bolus and secondary administration and volume-control set

Intravenous Medication Administration (cont’d) Intermittent administration (cont’d) Bolus administration: undiluted medication given quickly into a vein Using an IV port: extends from the IV tubing Using a medication lock: allows instant access to the venous system

Administering Medications Through a Lock

Medication Lock

Intravenous Medication Administration (cont’d) Intermittent administration (cont’d) Secondary infusions: administration of a parenteral drug that is diluted in a small volume of IV solution Volume-control set: chamber in IV tubing that holds a portion of the solution from a larger container

Piggyback Arrangement

Volume-Control Set

Question Which of the following involves the administration of a parenteral drug that has been diluted in a small volume of IV? a. Continuous administration b. Bolus administration c. Secondary infusion d. Volume-control set

Central Venous Catheters Administer parenteral medication in a large volume of blood when: Clients require long-term IV fluid IV medications are irritating to peripheral veins It is difficult to insert or maintain a peripherally inserted catheter

Using a Central Venous Catheter

Central Venous Catheters (cont’d) Percutaneous catheters: inserted through the skin in a peripheral vein Tunneled catheters: inserted into a central vein with part of the catheter secured in the subcutaneous tissue Implanted catheters: sealed beneath the skin

Tunneled Catheter

Central Venous Catheters (cont’d) Medication administration using a CVC: continuous or intermittent infusions may be used Antineoplastic drugs: medications used to destroy or slow the growth of malignant cells; chemotherapy

Nursing Implications Antineoplastic drugs require extreme caution Nursing diagnosis: Anxiety, fear, risk for injury and infection, excess fluid volume, and ineffective protection