Complications of Intravenous Therapy

Principles of IV Therapy

ADN136

Fall Qr 09

Complications of IV Therapy Nursing assumed the role of intravenous

therapy in the 1940’s Application of the nursing process is critical

in the prevention of complications 90% of hospitalized patients receive IV fluids

and medications

Complications of IV Therapy Classified according to their location

Local complication: at or near the insertions site or as a result of mechanical failure

Systemic complications: occur within the vascular system, remote from the IV site. Can be serious and life threatening

Local complications

Occur as adverse reactions or trauma to the surrounding venipuncture site

Assessing and monitoring are the key components to early intervention

Good venipuncture technique is the main factor related to the prevention of most local complications associated with IV Therapy.

Local complications include: hematoma, thrombosis, phlebitis, postinfusion phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, infiltration, extravasation, local infection, and veno spasm.

Hematoma Hematoma and ecchymosis demote

formations resulting from the infiltration of blood into the tissues at the venipuncture site Related to venipuncture technique Use of large bore cannula: Trauma to the vein

during insertion Patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and long

term steroids

Hematoma Subcutaneous hematoma is the most common

complication Can be a starting point for other complications:

thrombophlebitis and infection Related to:

Nicking the vein Discontinuing the IV without apply adequate pressure Applying the tourniquet to tightly above a priviously

attempted venipuncture site.

Hematoma Signs and symptoms:

Discoloration of the skin Site swelling and discomfort Inability to advance the cannula all the way into

the vein during insertion Resistance to positive pressure during the lock

flushing procedure

HematomaPrevention

Use of an indirect method Apply tourniquet just before venipuncture Use a small need in the elderly and patients

on steriods, or patients with thin skin. Use blood pressure cuff to apply pressure Be gentle

HematomaTreatment

Apply direct, light pressure for 2-3 minutes after needle removed

Have patient elevate extremity Apply Ice

Document

Thrombosis Catheter-related obsturctions can be

mechanical or non-thrombotic Trauma to the endothelial cells of the venous

wall causes red blood cells to adhere to the vein wall, forms a clot or Thrombosis

Drip rate slows, line does not flush easily, resistance is felt

Never forcible flush a catheter

ThrombosisTypes of Thrombus or occlusion

Persistent withdrawal occlusion Partial occlusion Complete occlusion Fibrin tail Fibrin sheath Mural thrombosis

“In Need of tPA Occlusions”

“Reopen the Pipeline”, Hadaway C, Nursing. 2005, 35(8)

“Reopen the Pipeline”, Hadaway C, Nursing. 2005, 35(8)

Fibrin FlapIntaluminal thrombus

Total Occlusion

Probable cause: Intraluminal thrombus Symptom: Unable to infuse or aspirate

Partial Occlusion

Probable cause: Fibrin flap

Symptom: Unable to aspirate

ThrombosisTypes of Thrombus or occlusion

Thrombosis related to: Hypertensive pt; blood backing up Low flow rate Location of the IV cannula Compression of the IV line for an extended

period of time Trauma to the wall of the vein

Thrombosis Signs and Symptoms

Fever and Malaise Slowed or stopped infusion rate Inability to flush

Prevention Use pumps and controllers to manage flow rate Microdrip tubing for rate below50mL/hr Avoid areas of flexion Use filters Avoid lower extremeties

Thrombosis Treatment

Never flush a cannula to remove an occlusion Discontunue the cannula Notify the physician and assess the site for

circulatory impairment

Document

Phlebitis Inflammation of the vein in which the

endothelial cells of the venous wall become irritated and cells roughen, allowing platelets to adhere and predispose the vein to inflamation-induced phlebitis Tender to touch and can be very painful

Phlebitis Mechanical:

To large a catheter for the size of the vein Manipulation of the catheter: improper stabilization

Chemical: vein becomes inflamed by irritating or vessicant solutions or medication Irritation medication or solution Improperly mixed or diluted Too-rapid infusion Presence of particulate matter

Phlebitis Chemical (cont):

The more acidic the IV solution the greater the risk

Additives: Potassium Type of material Length of dwell:

30% by day 2, 39-40% by day 3 (Macki and Ringer)

The slower the rate of infusion the less irritation

Chemical Phlebitis - Nafcillin

PhlebitisBacterial

Also called Septic phlebitis: least common Inflammation of the intima of the vein Contributing factors

Poor aseptic technique Failure to detect breaks in the integrity of the equipment Poor insertion technique Inadequate stabilization Failure to perform site assessment Aseptic preparation of solutions Hand washing and preparing the skin

PhlebitisPostinfusion

Inflamation of the vein 48-96 hr after discontinued Factors that contribute:

Insertion technique Condition of the vein used Type, compatibility, pH of solution used Gauge, size, length, and material Dwell time Infrequent dressing change Host factors: age, gender, age and presence of disease

Phlebitis Immune system causes leukocytes to gather at

the inflamed site Pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus to raise

body temperature Pyrogens stimulate bone marrow to release

more leukocytes Redness and tenderness increase

Phlebitis Signs and Symptoms

Redness at the site Site warm to touch Local swelling Palpable cord along the vein Sluggish infusion rate Increase in basal temperature of 1degree C or more

Prevention Use larger veins for hypertonic solutions Central lines for Infusions lasting longer than 5 days

Phlebitis Scale 0 – No clinical symptoms 1- Erythema at access site with or without pain 2- Pain at access site, with erythema and / or edema 3- Pain at access site with erythema and / or edema,

streak formation, and palpable venous cord 4- Pain at access site with erythema and / or edema,

streak formation, palpable venous cord > 1 inch, purulent drainage

Thrombophlebitis Thrombophlebitis denotes a twofold injury:

thrombosis and inflammation Related to:

Use of veins in the lower extremity Use of hypertonic or highly acidic infusion

solutions Causes similar to those leading to phlebitis

Thrombophlebitis Signs and Symptoms

Sluggish flow rate Edema in the limbs Tender and cord like vein Site warm to the touch Visible red line above venipuncture site Diminished arterial pulses Mottling and cyanosis of the extremities

Thrombophlebitis Prevention

Use veins in the forearm rather than the hands Do not use veins in a joint Assess site q 4 hr in adults, q 2 hr in children Catheter securment Infuse at rate prescribed Use the smallest size catheter to do the job Proper dilution

Thrombophlebitis Septic thrombophlebits can be prevented:

Appropriate skin preparation Aseptic technique in the maintance of infusion Proper hand hygiene

60% from patients skin 35% from the line itself 5% from hands

Infiltration The inadvertent administration of a non-

vesicant solution into surrounding tissue Dislodgment of the catheter from the vein Second to phlebitis as a cuase of IV therapy

morbidity

Infiltration Related to:

Puncture of the distal vein wall during access Puncture of the vein wall by mechanical friction Dislodgement of the catheter from the intima of

the vien Poor securment High delivery rate Overmanipulation

Infiltration Signs and Symptoms

Coolness of the skin around site Taut skin Dependent edema Absence of blood return “Pinkish” blood return Infusion rate slows

Infiltration Complications fall into 3 catagories

Ulceration and possible tissue necrosis Compartment syndrome Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome

Infiltration – What else is wrong with this picture?

Cellulitis from PIV

Extravasation Inadvertent administration of a vesicant

solution into surrounding tissue Vesicant is a fluid or medication that causes the

formation of blisters, with subsequent sloughing of tissues occurring from the tissue necrosis

Extravasations related to: Puncture of the distal wall Mechanical friction Dislodgement of the catheter

Examples of Vesicants Phenergan pH is 4 to 5.5 Dilantin pH is 12 (Drano has a pH of 14) High concentration KCL pH is 5 to 7.8 Calcium gluconate pH is 6.2 Amphotericin B pH is 5.7 to 8 Dopamine pH is 2.5 to 5 Nipride pH is 3.5 to 6 10%, 20% or 50% dextrose pH is 3.5 to 6.5 Sodium bicarbonate pH is 7 to 8.5

Extravasations Signs and Symptoms

Complaints of pain or burning Swelling proximal to or distal to the IV site Puffiness of the dependent part of the limb Skin tightness at the veinpuncture site Blanching and coolness of the skin Slow or stopped infusion Damp or wet dressing

Extravasations Prevention:

Use of skilled practitioners Knowledge of vesicants Condition of the patients veins Drug administration technique

If continuous give in CVAD Only with brisk blood return of 3-5 cc Use of a free flow IV Do not use a pump on vesicants given peripherally Assess for blood return frequently

Extravasations (cont) Prevention (cont)

Site of venous access Condition of the patient

Vomiting, coughing, retchin Sedated Unable to communicate

Treatment

Extravasation

Phenergan – Intra-arterial

Phenergan Intra-arterial

Dilantin Extravasation

Other Complications Local infection:

Microbial contamination of the cannula or the infusate

Thrombus becomes infected Venous Spasm: a sudden involuntary

contraction of a vein or an artery resulting in temporary cessation of blood flow through a vessel

Systemic Complications We will cover when we talk about Central

Venous Access Devices