Chapter 35: Intravenous Medications

Intravenous Medication Administration #1 Intravenous (IV) route: administration via peripheral and central veins is immediately effective and the most dangerous Situations for administering IV meds: Clients have disorders affecting the absorption or metabolism of drugs Quick response is needed during an emergency

Intravenous Medication Administration #2 Situations for administering IV meds (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

Intravenous Medication Administration #3 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 #4 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

Intravenous Medication Administration #5 Intermittent administration (cont’d) Secondary infusions: administration of a parenteral drug that is diluted in a small volume of IV solution

Intravenous Medication Administration #6 Volume-control set: chamber in IV tubing that holds a portion of the solution from a larger container

Central Venous Catheters #1 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

Central Venous Catheters #2 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

A) The location of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) A) The location of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). (B) The location of a percutaneous catheter inserted in the subclavian vein. (C) The location of a percutaneous catheter inserted in the jugular vein. (D) The location of a midline catheter in the basilic vein.

A tunneled catheter. A) The placement of an implanted catheter with access via a port. (B) Noncoring (Huber) needle used to access the port.

Central Venous Catheters #3 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

Question #1 Is the following statement true or false? The intravenous (IV) route of drug administration is considered the most dangerous route.

Answer to Question #1 True. The intravenous (IV) route of drug administration is considered the most dangerous route.

Question #2 Which of the following involves the administration of a parenteral drug that has been diluted in a small volume of IV solution? a. Continuous administration b. Bolus administration c. Secondary infusion d. Volume-control set

Answer to Question #2 c. Secondary infusion Secondary infusion is the administration of parenteral drug that has been diluted in a small volume of IV solution. Bolus administration occurs when a substance is given all at one time. Continuous administration is the instillation of a parenteral drug over several hours. A volume-control set is a chamber that holds a portion of the solution.

Question #3 Is the following statement true or false? Antineoplastic agents are toxic only to abnormal cells.

Answer to Question #3 False. Antineoplastic agents are toxic to normal and abnormal cells.