13.6: Key Terms

“butterfly” cannula

needle with flexible plastic wings on either side of the needle hub that serve to maneuver the needle during the venipuncture procedure; are manufactured with a short tubing attached to the cannula

air embolus

occurs when air or gas makes its way into the vascular system

antimicrobial filter

port protectors containing alcohol that disinfect and protect the IV access point

bacterial reaction

occurs when blood or blood products are contaminated with bacteria

blood typing

identifies blood type and Rh factor

catheter

a small hollow tube placed in the vein

catheter-associated thrombus

an inflammatory response to an IV catheter that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins

central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)

hospital-acquired infection caused by microorganisms being introduced into the bloodstream through a central line

central venous (CV) access

also known as a central line, an IV inserted in or near a large vein that goes into the superior vena cava

central venous catheter (CVC)

IV inserted in or near a large vein that goes into the superior vena cava

circulatory overload

occurs when fluids are administered faster than the circulatory system can accommodate

combi stopper

closing cone with Luer lock–fitting stoppers designed to seal the access points on IV devices to maintain sterility and prevent contamination

continuous infusion

constant delivery of medication or IV fluid over an extended period of time, ranging from hours to days

crossmatching

checks for harmful interactions between the donor’s and recipient’s blood

cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor (cryo)

portion of plasma that is rich in clotting factors

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body

extension tubing

a length of tubing with a connector that can be added to the primary IV tubing to extend the reach of the IV line

extravasation

a condition that occurs when vesicant (an irritating solution or medication) is administered and inadvertently

febrile reaction

occurs when there is a hypersensitivity to the donor’s white cells, platelets, or plasma proteins

fluid overload

occurs when there is increased fluid retained in the intravascular compartment

flush

prefilled syringe that contains a small amount of normal saline or heparin used to keep IV site open and unobstructed

granulocyte

type of white blood cell that protects against infection by destroying invading bacteria and viruses

hemolytic transfusion reaction

occurs when incompatible blood products are administered

hypertonic

contains a higher concentration of particles than plasma, so osmotic movement pulls the water from the cellular space into the intravascular space, causing the cell to shrink

hypotonic

contains a lower concentration of particles than plasma, so osmotic movement pulls the water from the intravascular space into the cellular space, causing the cell to swell

implanted port

central line that is surgically placed under the skin and accessed by needle when needed

infusion pump

medical device used to deliver IV fluids in controlled amounts

intermittent infusion

delivery of medication or fluid via an IV at a specific interval or scheduled time

isotonic

contains a similar concentration of particles as plasma, so no osmotic movement occurs, and the fluid stays within the intravascular space

IV immunoglobulin (IVIG)

human antibodies that are administered to help fight certain infections

IV push

manually injecting medications into the IV line

lumen

tube connected to the IV catheter and located out of the skin to administer medications

macrodrip

ten, fifteen, or twenty drops per milliliter

midline catheter

used for long-term IV therapy; catheter is longer than a PIVC but does not extend to the vena cava

necrosis

tissue death

nontunneled percutaneous central venous catheter

type of central line commonly used for emergent situations

packed red blood cells

increase hemoglobin, iron, and oxygen levels within the body

parenteral nutrition (PN)

nutrition delivered intravenously by a central line

patency

open and unobstructed line

peripheral intravenous (PIV) line

IV inserted into a peripheral vein, usually in the hand, arm, or forearm

peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC)

most common type of IV, placed in a peripheral vein

peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN)

diluted nutritional supplements that deliver nutrients and calories on a short-term basis

peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

type of central line inserted peripherally

phlebitis

inflammation of a vein

plasma

the dominant component of blood that contains water, proteins, electrolytes, lipids, and glucose

platelet

small, colorless cell fragment that sticks to the lining of a blood vessel to stop bleeding

red blood cell

carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body and takes carbon dioxide back to the lungs

Rh factor

a certain protein, rhesus factor, present in some red blood cells

secondary set

IV tubing used to intermittently infuse secondary medications

shielded catheter

IV catheter with a retractable needle

short-term dosing

a prescribed specific medication for a relatively brief duration

superficial vein thrombosis (SVT)

a blood clot that involves superficial veins of the arms or legs

three-way stopcock

small, plastic, Y-shaped valve with three regulating ports

total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

total replacement of dietary needs over a long-term basis

tunneled central venous catheter

central line that is tunneled under the skin and then brought out through a separate incision site

vascular access device

thin, flexible catheter that provides access to blood vessels without the need for repeated needlesticks

vein finder

device that uses infrared radiation reflection technology to create a map of the veins

vesicant

drug that can cause blisters or tissue necrosis if leaked into the surrounding tissue

white blood cell

helps the body to fight against disease