Iv Start

IV START

Before even getting started with the iv, first accumulate all the necessary supplies. You will need:

* Absorbent disposable sheet (chuck or towel)

* 2 alcohol wipes

* Tourniquet

* angio catheter

* iv tubing (SmartSet)

* 30cc syringe filled with 30cc normal saline

* 4 pieces of tape (preferably paper tape or easy to remove tape which has been precut to approximately 4 inches (10cm) in length and taped conveniently to the table or stretcher.

* Rubber gloves

* Gauze (several pieces of 4x4 or 2x2)

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Preparing the arm:

Apply a tourniquet high on the upper arm. It should be tight enough to visibly indent the skin without causing patient discomfort. In order to maximize venous engorgement, have the patient squeeze his hand into a fist several times.

Now start the search for suitable distended subcutaneous veins. If you cannot see any veins popping up from the distention caused by the tourniquet, you can sometimes feel them by palpating the arm. If you still cannot find any veins, then it might be useful to cover the arm in a warm compress to help with peripheral vasodilation. If after a meticulous search no veins are found; release the tourniquet from above the elbow, place it around the forearm and search in the distal forearm, wrist and hand. If no suitable veins are found, then you will have to move to the other arm. Be careful to stay away from arteries which are pulsatile.

Once a suitable vein is found, then it is necessary to clean and disinfect the area by swiping it several times with two alcohol wipes. If the arm is particularly hairy in this spot it may be necessary to use a disposable razor to shave the hair partially too make a region that will be clean.

Select Angiocatheter

Usually a 20 or 22 gauge angiocatheter is suitable. Take it apart and put it back together to get a sense of how it works and how much force is required to slide the plastic catheter over the metal stylet.

Puncture Vein...