Intravenous cannulation
• Intravenous cannulation is a technique in which a
cannula is placed inside a vein to provide venous
access.
• Venous access allows sampling of blood as well as
administration of fluids, medications, parenteral
nutrition, chemotherapy, and blood products
Indication
• Repeated blood sampling
• Intravenous fluid administration
• Intravenous medications administration
• Intravenous chemotherapy administration
• Intravenous nutritional support
• Intravenous blood or blood products administration
• Intravenous administration of radiological contrast
agents for computed tomography, magnetic
resonance imaging, or nuclear imaging
Contraindications
• No absolute contraindications to intravenous cannulation
exist.
• When peripheral venous access is in an injured, infected,
or burned extremity, it should be avoided if possible.
• Veins of fractured limbs , AV fistula, side of mastectomy
• Some irritant solutions can cause blistering and tissue
necrosis if they leak into the tissue e.g. chemotherapeutic
agents. These solutions are more safely infused into a
central vein.
Complications
• Pain
• Failure to access the vein
• Blood stops flowing into the flashback chamber
• Arterial puncture
• Thrombophlebitis
• Peripheral nerve palsy
• Skin and soft tissue necrosis
Cannula
This device is available in various gauges (16-24
G), lengths (25-44 mm), compositions, and
designs.
Tips
• Routinely, use the smallest gauge of catheter if
possible to prevent damage to the vessel intima.
• In an emergency situation use a large gauge
catheter to allow administration of large volumes
of fluid.
• The superficial veins of the upper extremities are
preferred to those of the lower extremities for
peripheral venous access as they interfere less with
patient mobility and pose a lower risk for phlebitis.
• It is recommended to choose a straight portion of a
vein to minimize the chance of hitting valves.
• Use the patient’s non-dominant arm (if possible)
• For prolonged courses of therapy, it is recommended
to start distally and move proximally as distal catheters
are replaced.
• N.B.
Remember best vein 3F&R
(Firm,full,foroward &round vein)
Equipment
• Non-sterile gloves
• Tourniquet
• Antiseptic solution
• 5-ml syringe
• Sterile gauze
• Cannula
• Saline
• Plaster
Before the procedure
1. Introduce yourself to the patient. Explain the
procedure to the patient and gain informed consent to
continue.
2. Make sure there is adequate light and that the room
is warm enough to encourage vasodilation.
3. Make sure the patient is in a comfortable position
and place a pillow or a rolled towel under the patient’s
extended arm.
4. The patient’s skin should be washed with soap and
water if visibly dirty.
5. If difficulty is encountered in finding an
appropriate vein, one of the following techniques
may be used:
• Inspection of the opposite extremity
• Opening and closing the fist
• Using gravity (holding the arm down)
• Gentle tapping or stroking of the site
• Applying heat (warm towel/pack)
Technique
1. Apply tourniquet and select the appropriate vein
2. Apply an antiseptic solution with friction for 30-
60 seconds, allow to air dry for up. Once
cleaned, do not touch or repalpate the skin.
3. Remove the cannula from its packaging and
remove the needle cover ensuring not to touch
the needle.
4. Stretch the skin distally and tell the patient to
expect a sharp scratch.
5. Insert the needle, bevel
upwards at about 30
degrees
6. Advance the needle until a
flashback of blood is seen
in the hub at the back of
the cannula
7. Once this is seen, progress
the entire cannula a
further 2mm, then fix the
needle, advancing the rest
of the cannula into the
vein.
8. Release the tourniquet,
apply pressure to the vein
at the tip of the cannula
and remove the needle
fully.
9. Remove the cap from the
needle and put this on
the end of the cannula.
10. Carefully dispose of the
needle into the sharps
box.
11. Check function by flushing
with saline. If there is any
resistance, if it causes any
pain, or you notice any
localized tissue swelling;
immediately stop flushing,
remove the cannula and
start again.
12. Apply the plaster to the
cannula to fix it in place.
13. Finally, ensure that the
patient is comfortable and
thank them.
Intravenous fluid
Indications
• Maintain or replace body store .
• Restore acid abase balance
• Restore the volume of blood component
• Administer of medication
• Provide Nutrition
• Monitor CVP
Equipment
• Tray
• Kidney dish containing
sterile syringes
• Spirit swabs
• Drip stand
• Drip + set
DRIP SET
Technique
• Introduce yourself to the patient.
• Check the patient’s mane and the type of fluid to be
given
• Explain the procedure to the patient and gain
informed consent .
• Prepare your equipment
• Assemble the tubing solution according to the
manufacturer’s instruction
• Let out the air from the tubing by letting some of
the fluids run down the tubing
• Close the drip set to prevent fluid from following
out
• Hang the bag in the drip stand
• Open the cannula and connect it to the drip
• Adjust the drips according to the appropriate dose
(drop per minute)
• Check regularly to see that the fluid is dropping at
the same rate and that fluid is going in to the vein
properly and that the puncture site is not swollen.
