Pediatric IV

What does IV stand for, and what is it used for?

IV stands for Intravenous therapy. An IV is a medical device used to administer fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into the person’s vein.

Prepping the child.

IVs can be frightening for children. Young kids might not know what’s about to happen. Some kids might want a countdown before it’s placed. You should tell the child what’s about to happen. Example; “I’m going to place an IV in your arm. It may feel like a little pinch but it’ll go away. The needle part won’t stay in, only a staw-like thing will.” 

Gathering supplies

You will want to get an IV start kit. An IV start kit and some saline flushes. This includes 1 single-use sterile IV (size depends on which one you pick), Tegarderm dressing, ChloraPrep Sepp Applicator, a tourniquet, gauze dressing, medical tape, and a site label. 

In pediatric patients IV gauge sizes you’d usually use a 24-22 gauge cannula. In some cases, a 20-22 gauge cannula may be used. 

Prepping

You will want to open the IV kit and get everything set up. You’d want to open your Tegaderm and sit it on a counter. You NEVER want to take the protector off the actual IV until you're ready to use it. You want to connect a saline 10 CC saline flush to the hub of the IV and prime the line. 

Placing the IV

You will want to start by tying a tourniquet 2-3 inches above the elbow cress. You will then want to palpate the arm for a vein. Once you find a vein you will want to wipe the arm off with a  ChloraPrep. Then you’d want to take the IV remove the protector, and angle the IV at a 30-degree angle. You will then want to insert the IV at a 30-degree angle and await for flashback in the cannula. Then you will want to advance the IV into the vein. Then you’d want to remove the needle and remove the tourniquet. Next, you’d want to place the piece of Tegaderm on top to hold it in place and flush it with a saline flush. Finally, you’d want to discard the needle in the sharps bin.

I hope this guide helps everyone with placing IVs. 

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Kind regards!

Kaya Ann Reglan