IV Therapy Basics

🧪 IV Therapy Basics

📌 Body Fluid Compartments

• Intracellular Fluid (ICF) = 💧 inside cells (⅔ of total body fluid)

  • Maintains cell structure & function.

• Extracellular Fluid (ECF) = 💧 outside cells (⅓ of total body fluid)

  • Divided into:

    • Interstitial Fluid (ISF) (80%) – fluid between cells

    • Intravascular Fluid (IVF) (20%) – plasma in blood

    • Transcellular Fluid – CSF, pleural, peritoneal, digestive fluids, etc.

🧬 Cell & Homeostasis

Homeostasis = The body's goal to stay balanced (like a thermostat adjusting heat).

• Controlled through diffusion and osmosis.

🔁 Diffusion vs Osmosis

🧂 Types of IV Solutions

🔥 Hypertonic = High salt, Low water

• Water leaves the cells → Cells shrink

• 💉 Used for: Cerebral edema, hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis

• Examples:

  • 3% Saline

  • Dextrose in 0.9% saline

  • Dextrose in LR

💧 Hypotonic = Low salt, High water

• Water enters the cells → Cells swell

• 💉 Used for: Hypernatremia, dehydration

• Examples:

  • 0.45% Saline

  • 0.33% Saline

  • 0.225% Saline

• ❌ Do not give to:

  • ICP (intracranial pressure)

  • Burns

  • Trauma

⚖ Isotonic = Same salt & water as body

• Water stays evenly distributed

• 💉 Used for: Dehydration, fluid loss, DKA

• Examples:

  • 0.9% Normal Saline (NS)

  • LR (Lactated Ringer’s)

  • Dextrose 5% in water (D5W)

⚠ IV Therapy Complications

💦 Hypovolemia vs Hypervolemia

🩸 Hypovolemia = Low blood volume

• Causes: Dehydration, burns, vomiting, diuretics

• S/S: Dry mucosa, thirst, low BP, high HR

• Labs: ↑ Hct, ↑ BUN, ↑ urine specific gravity

• Nurse Tips:

  • Replace fluids

  • Daily weights

  • Safety: Fall risk (orthostatic hypotension)

🌊 Hypervolemia = Excess fluid

• Causes: Heart failure, kidney dysfunction

• S/S: Edema, JVD, crackles, SOB

• Labs: ↓ Hct, ↓ Na⁺, ↓ BUN

• Nurse Tips:

  • Diuretics

  • Low sodium diet

  • High Fowler’s to breathe easier

🛠 IV Therapy Equipment + Procedure

🔧 Purpose

• Give fluids/meds when PO route is not possible

• Restore electrolytes, treat shock, give fast meds

🧰 Equipment

• Drip chamber – counts drops/min

• Backcheck valve – stops backflow

• Extension set – connects to cannula

• Slide clamps – stop flow

• Access ports – for second meds

🧪 Gauge Sizes Mnemonic:

"Our Grandparents Give Plums 'n Berries Early"

💪 Vein Dilation Tricks

• Tourniquet: 2-6 in above site

• Gravity: Let arm dangle

• Fist pumping

• Tapping vein gently

• Warm compress: 10 mins

• Multiple tourniquets (2 for 2 mins)