Thursday, April 19, 2012

Removing an IV Catheter

removing an IV Catheter is a normal routine that you will be expected to perform as an RN on a daily basis. I will go through the basic removal step by step where you can review my comments in preparation for Clinicals this week where you will practice the technique of removing an iv catheter from a patient, under my guidance of course.
1- Always wash hands and wear gloves for the procedure.
2- With an alcahol pad, clean around the iv catheter site on the patients skin.
3- If the patient has increased hair on the arm or by iv Catheter site, it may help to take a razor blade and remove some of the hair around the site.
4- With one hand stablizing the catheter and dressing, take your other hand and peel down the catheter dressing. It helps to be consistent pulling off the dressing.
5- Inspect the site around the iv catheter checking for increased redness and drainage. If symptoms are found, make a note and report findings the Physician.
6- Slowly remove the iv catheter from the patient with one hand while applying a pressure dressing to the site with your other hand.
7- apply pressure for 1 minute then remove and check for increased bleeding at site. If bleeding continues, reapply pressure for another minute.
8- When drainage stops, clean site with betadine swab and alcahol pad. These can be found in a standard iv removal kit.
9- Apply band aid or small dressing to site and instruct the patient to watch for drainage, increased pain or redness to site and call with symptoms to Physicians office.
10- Document iv catheter removal and area assessment in your nursing notes. be thorough and complete.
     This is the basic steps for removing a standard iv catheter from the patient. This is usually found on the arm of the patient. We will cover special IV Catheters and removals later on in the course. Study these procedures and be prepared to actually remove an IV Catheter from a patient in Clinicals this week.

                        Robert Fahey RN, MA   Nurse Instructor

                      / Nurseman/

6 comments:

  1. Great post. I am doing research on catheters for a paper that I am writing. This was very informational and helpful. Thanks so much for sharing Robert.

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  2. Hi,
    Very useful information for staff nurses. I have written a blog regarding phlebitis related it improper IV cannula insertion. Pls go through it and give your valuable feed back.
    http://understandnursing.blogspot.in/2014/11/thrombophlebitis.html

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  6. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog and tell them about steps of removing iv cannula .

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