Intravenous therapy (IV therapy) is a method used to help the patient get better. Intravenous lines are put in for things as simple as delivering fluids when the patient is dehydrated to administering emergency lifesaving pharmaceuticals. As a patient or health care provider negative outcomes, such as having unneeded complications and jeopardizing patient comfort from an intravenous line is the last thing needed.
Intravenous (IV) Therapy
“Intravenous therapy is very common, more than 80% of patients admitted to the hospital
will require intravenous cannulation” (Ogston-Tuck, 2014). The key to prevention is knowing the cause of the problem. Some key nursing interventions as noted in the [Manual of IV Therapeutics] include using aseptic technique
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53). The thymus bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, appendix, tonsils, adenoids and lungs are all organ’s of the immune system.
Bodies Defense
The bodies first line of defense includes the presence of physical and chemical barriers. These limit entry of microorganisms into the body. “These include: intact skin and epithelial surfaces that act as mechanical barriers, presence of normal micro flora on the skin that compete with pathogens for nutrients and inhibit pathogen growth through lactic acid production, normal flora of throat, colon, and vagina occupy receptors that prevents colonization by pathogens.” (Ogston-Tuck, 2014, p. 55). This also includes secretions which contain antibodies.
When the first line of defense fails, the bodies second line of defense kicks in. Natural killer cells, neutrophils, macrophages, inflammation, fever and transferrin and lactoferrin kick in to eliminate microbes. These also prevent infectious diseases. Keeping infection out of the intravenous site is very important. As long as the bodies defense mechanisms are working properly and aren’t compromised, the process is made
Unfortunately, infection places people in the hospital and infection is developed in the hospital. Two ways to contract sepsis are through hospital-caused infection, like in Amy Widener’s case, and through an infection caused by outside sources, for example a urinary tract infection in an elderly person. Everyone is capable of getting sepsis however cases appear most often in children under one year of age and in elderly older than sixty-five years. This is due to the body’s immune system being weaker in these demographics than in a person that has a built-up and strong immune system (“Sepsis Questions and Answers”). Sepsis occurs because of infection so the immune system plays a large role in the body’s defense mechanism. When people with already compromised immune systems develop an infection or are in an environment that infection is likely to occur, for example an unsanitary procedure in a hospital, then the body’s chances of being able to fight the infection off are greatly
Sepsis is defined as an exaggerated, overwhelming and uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response to an initially localised infection or tissue injury, which may lead to severe sepsis and septic shock if left untreated (Daniels, 2009; Robson & Daniels, 2013; Dellinger et al, 2013; Perman, Goyal & Gaieski, 2012; Vanzant & Schmelzer, 2011). Septic shock can be classified by acute circulatory failure as a result of massive vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and decreased vascular resistance in the body, causing refractory hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation. This leads to irreversible tissue ischaemia, end organ failure and ultimately, death (McClelland & Moxon, 2014; Sagy, Al-Qaqaa & Kim, 2013, Dellinger et al, 2013).
3. Phlebotomy may assist in conquering an infection because bleeding induces the release of a specific hormone in humans that reduces their fevers and causes the immune system to increase its level of activity. Since the immune system is responsible for fighting infections, kicking the immune system into high gear would help rid the body of infection.
The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body, and it defends the body from “foreign invaders.” Immunity can be divided in two three different defenses, and these are defined as first, second and third lines of defense. The first line of defense for the immune system is the primary defense against pathogens entering the body from the surface in order to prevent the start of disease and infection. Some examples of the first line of defense is the skin, protecting the external boundaries of the body, and the mucous membranes, protecting the internal boundaries of the body. Although the skin and mucous membranes work on the internal and external boundaries, they both release chemicals
Also, cytokines are used as they can destroy the infection, however there is a problem with this diagnosis as excessive production can cause tissue and organ damage. The pathological physiological outcomes of sepsis is that there is a multi-organ dysfunction that includes the heart, brain, kidneys and the lungs. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a condition where there is a low oxygen level in the blood, this mostly affects the lungs, people who have sepsis will be affected by ARDS as their breathing rate will decrease. Another reason for multi-organ dysfunction is that there is a lack of blood being given to the organs, this causes low blood pressure or as it’s called hypotension, this mostly affects diabetic people which leads them to having sepsis.
IV sedation is reserved for our most complicated procedures and patients with very high levels of fear and anxiety. IV sedation creates a sleep-like state that allows you to wake up from a procedure with no memory of the sights, smells, sounds, or sensations that occurred during the treatment. This form of sedation is administered through an intravenous line and only by a licensed
Pinkerton, C. (2009). New technology enhances expertise of vascular access team. Canadian Nurse, 105(2), 21-22.
5), many hospitals in conjunction with the Joint Commission's 2012 National Patient Safety Goals has been rallying for hospitals to use evidenced-based practices (EBP) to the prevention of CAUTIs because evidence is growing showing that many are avoidable. Such practices such as utilizing a nurse-driven protocol to assess and evaluate the appropriateness and use of urethral catheter to determine how long a patient should have an indwelling catheter and when to discontinue it. Several factors have been identified that pose as risk factors to CAUTI which include but not limited to drainage bag not being below the level of the bladder, healthcare personnel not practicing standard precautions and utilizing aseptic techniques during insertion of catheters, unsterile equipment, and unnecessary placement of urinary
The immune system is the body's third line of defense. It is a network of several tissues and white blood cells. The tissues of the immune system are bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and adenoids. The white blood cells of the immune system are called lymphocytes (Postlethwait Hopson, Modern Biology).
In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), patients are being monitored very closely while their vital signs, their neurological status, and their physical status are being managed with strong medications, lifesaving machines, and the clinical knowledge and skills of trained ICU nurses. Outside of the ICU, it is essential for staff nurses to identify the patient that is clinically deteriorating and in need of urgent intervention.
Capriotti & Frizzell (2016) explain that sepsis is often seen in those who have a weak immune system. These individuals are at an increased risk of developing sepsis from microorganisms that a healthy immune system would normally fight off (Capriotti et al. 2016). The elderly, infants, and immunosuppressed patients are the most at risk for developing the condition (Capriotti et al. 2016). Sepsis can be caused by any microbe, but is most often caused by bacteria (Capriotti et al. 2016). Since sepsis has such a broad reach and can develop as a secondary infection after an initial injury or illness, Capriotti & Frizzell (2016) further explain the di...
The structure and function of our immune systems is a great help for our body to keep all of us healthy. Our immune system has a specific structure that it should maintain. There are also organs that play a major part for the health of our immune system. These organs are called lymphoid organs because of the lymphocytes that inhabit that area. (white blood cells) Bone marrow is also one of the key elements for the immune system, this is where all of our blood cells are being made along with the white blood cells. With the help of the bone marrow, white blood cells are constantly traveling throughout our bodies using the blood cells for help. Another structure that is important for our immune system is lymphoid tissue. Lymphoid tissue acts as a gateway into our bodies that help to prevent incoming germs.
Several skills are beneficial to the nurse and paramedic, but perhaps one of the most important skills is the ability to place an intravenous catheter into a vein. This procedure is most commonly referred to as “starting an IV”. In today’s medical community, intravenous cannulation is necessary for the administration of many antibiotics and other therapeutic drugs. Listed below are the procedures and guidelines for starting a successful IV. Following these instructions will provide a positive experience for the patient and clinician.
...f infections acquired during the hospital. Many of these studies have indicated that these infection control interventions will decrease the number of sick or dying patients related to hospital acquired infections and lower the medical cost by decreasing the stay of each patient in the hospital.
The white blood cells destroy any unfamiliar pathogens in the bloodstream and can cause inflammation. Therefore, the inflammation causes a surplus of white blood cells to clot the wound for healing.