The nurse should select an IV catheter site on an upper extremity, preferably the hand or forearm. To reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections, the selected site should be cleaned with antiseptic solution using friction (preferably chlorhexidine, using a back-and- forth motion) and then allowed to air-dry completely (Option 3). Chlorhexidine is preferred as it achieves an antimicrobial effect within 30 seconds, whereas povidone-iodine takes 22 minutes.
After insertion, the catheter hub should be secured with a narrow strip of sterile tape to prevent accidental removal or excessive back-and-forth motion, which can introduce microorganisms into the vein. In addition, a sterile, transparent, semipermeable dressing (eg, Tegaderm) should be used to secure the catheter hub to reduce infection risk and allow visualization of the site (Option 1). When the catheter is accessed, the needleless port should be cleansed with an alcohol swab to kill externally colonized microorganisms (Option 2).
(Option 4) Excessive hair may be clipped but never shaved as shaving may cause microabrasions and potential portals of entry for microorganisms.
(Option 5) Peripheral IV catheters should not be removed or replaced more frequently than every 72-96 hours unless signs of complications (eg, infiltration, infection, phlebitis) occur.
Educational objective:
To reduce catheter-related infections from peripheral IV catheters, the nurse should clean the site with chlorhexidine in a back-and-forth motion using friction and allow it to dry completely. The catheter hub is secured with a sterile, semipermeable dressing, and
access ports are cleaned with alcohol swabs prior to use.
The nurse should select an IV catheter site on an upper extremity, preferably the hand or forearm. To reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections, the selected site should be cleaned with antiseptic solution using friction (preferably chlorhexidine, using a back-and- forth motion) and then allowed to air-dry completely (Option 3). Chlorhexidine is preferred as it achieves an antimicrobial effect within 30 seconds, whereas povidone-iodine takes 22 minutes.
After insertion, the catheter hub should be secured with a narrow strip of sterile tape to prevent accidental removal or excessive back-and-forth motion, which can introduce microorganisms into the vein. In addition, a sterile, transparent, semipermeable dressing (eg, Tegaderm) should be used to secure the catheter hub to reduce infection risk and allow visualization of the site (Option 1). When the catheter is accessed, the needleless port should be cleansed with an alcohol swab to kill externally colonized microorganisms (Option 2).
(Option 4) Excessive hair may be clipped but never shaved as shaving may cause microabrasions and potential portals of entry for microorganisms.
(Option 5) Peripheral IV catheters should not be removed or replaced more frequently than every 72-96 hours unless signs of complications (eg, infiltration, infection, phlebitis) occur.
Educational objective:
To reduce catheter-related infections from peripheral IV catheters, the nurse should clean the site with chlorhexidine in a back-and-forth motion using friction and allow it to dry completely. The catheter hub is secured with a sterile, semipermeable dressing, and
access ports are cleaned with alcohol swabs prior to use.
