Fluid & Electrolytes, IV Therapy, and Blood Transfusion – Key Vocabulary

Twenty vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and concepts related to fluid-electrolyte balance, IV therapy, and transfusion nursing care from the lecture notes.

Hyperkalemia

An abnormally high serum potassium level (e.g., 5.2 mEq/L) that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias and requires restriction of high-potassium foods.

High-Potassium Foods

Dietary items such as orange juice, bananas, and tomatoes that should be limited when serum potassium is elevated.

Systems Regulating Fluid Balance

Primarily the cardiac, respiratory, and renal systems work together to maintain normal body fluid volume and composition.

Central Venous Line (Central Line)

An intravascular catheter inserted into a large vein, preferred for irritating solutions, chemotherapy, poor peripheral access, or long-term therapy.

Peripheral IV Line

A short catheter placed in a small peripheral vein, used for short-term, non-irritating infusions when adequate veins are available.

Older Adult Hydration Indicator Limitations

Age-related changes in skin and mucous membranes make them less reliable signs of dehydration in elderly patients.

Priority Assessment in Potassium Imbalance

Continuous monitoring of heart rate and rhythm because abnormal potassium levels directly affect cardiac conduction.

Goal of IV Therapy

To promote and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance when oral replacement is insufficient or impossible.

Infiltration

Leakage of IV fluid into surrounding tissue, manifested by pain or burning, puffiness, and sometimes coolness at the site.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein, evidenced by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain along the course of the cannulated vein.

Fluid Volume Excess (Overload) in Elderly

Signs such as shortness of breath and a bounding pulse occurring when IV fluids exceed the patient’s circulatory tolerance.

IV Site Selection After Infiltration

Choose a new vein distal to (below) the previous infiltration site to avoid weakened or damaged vessels.

Acute Transfusion Reaction

An adverse response (e.g., headache, nausea, vomiting) during blood infusion requiring immediate cessation of the transfusion.

Aseptic Technique for IV Start

Strict hand hygiene is the single most important action to prevent introducing microorganisms during IV initiation.

Needle Gauge for Rapid Whole-Blood Transfusion

A large-bore 14- to 16-gauge catheter is necessary to allow rapid infusion of viscous blood products.

Irritating IV Fluids

Solutions with extreme pH or high osmolarity (e.g., some chemotherapies) that can damage small peripheral veins and often necessitate a central line.

Bounding Pulse

A strong, forceful arterial pulse often associated with fluid volume excess or circulatory overload.

Red Streak Up the Arm

A potential sign of thrombophlebitis or vein irritation, indicating inflammation extending along the vein.

Six Rights of Medication Administration

The standards of right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation applied to IV therapy and all medication delivery.

Air Embolus

A rare but serious complication in which air enters the bloodstream; differs from infiltration and phlebitis in cause and presentation.