STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

  1. Describe the legal implications and regulations for the expanded role of the LPN in relation to IV

     therapy and venous blood withdrawal.

  2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of fluid and electrolyte balance related to maintenance of body homeostasis

     and regulatory functions by describing how IV fluid therapy contributes to fluid and electrolyte balance in the adult,

     with awareness of how this changes in the elderly.

  3. Describe physical and psychological nursing assessment of the patient before, during and after receiving IV therapy,

     and related nursing interventions, including documentation.

  4. Describe and demonstrate safe and effective techniques for venipuncture in adults, including current CDC guidelines

     for blood and body fluid precautions.

  5. Demonstrate safe and accurate technique in providing IV fluids to patients and initiating and discontinuing IV therapy.

  6. Describe the action, use, dosages, side effects and nursing implications and techniques for administration of antibiotics

     and heparin, including drug-drug interactions and incompatibilities; and for the administration of vitamins and electrolytes.

  7. Perform peripheral IV starts and peripheral venous sampling on three clients.

  8. Initiate and monitor IV fluid administration on three clients through peripheral and central venous access devices.

  9. Administer pre-mixed antibiotics via venous access devices to three clients.

  10. Flush venous access devices designed to maintain venous patency for three clients.

  11. Demonstrate appropriate use of IV pumps

  12. Demonstrate sterile dressing change and blood sampling from a central venous access device.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.    Legal implications and scope of practice

 II.   Role of the licensed Practical Nurse in intravenous therapy

 III.  Related anatomy and physiology including the physiology of aging and site selection

 IV.   Fluids and electrolytes

 V.    Commonly used IV fluids

 VI.   Hazards and complications of IV therapy, local and systemic

 VII.  Psychological aspects of venipuncture

 VIII. Infection control measures

 IX.   Identifying types of venous access devices

 X     Monitoring venous access device sites

 XI.   Dressing and cap changes

 XII.  Initiating, monitoring, regulating, replacing and discontinuing IV fluids

 XIII. Use of appropriate equipment including IV pumps

 XIV.  Drug incompatibilities

 XV.   Administering pre-mixed vitamins and electrolytes

 XVI.  Pharmacology of heparin and antibiotics

 XVII. Administration of pre-mixed antibiotics

 XVIII.Flushing of venous access devices designed to maintain venous patency

 XIX.  Collection of venous blood specimens for tests and use of appropriate equipment for same

 XX.   Nursing care, intervention, reporting and documentation related to intravenous therapy/venous blood sampling