Guidelines for Licensed Practical Nurse
Intravenous Therapy Course
The purpose of the LPN IV Therapy Course is to provide the LPN with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform selected components in the management of intravenous therapy.
The course syllabus which includes a description of the clinical components and the faculty is reviewed by the Board of Nursing prior to the first time offering and every four years thereafter.
A written syllabus of the LPN IV course includes:
clearly defined written objectives which are stated in behavioral terms.
an outline of material to be taught in the course.
a description of the instructional methods to be used and the clinical learning experience to be provided which will enable the student to develop the necessary competencies.
specific methods to be used for evaluating the achievement of the course objectives.
The faculty who develops and implements the course is composed of currently licensed registered nurses who meet the requirements for faculty of practical nursing programs listed in NDAC 54-03.2-04-03 for nursing education programs. Preceptors are available to assure direct supervision of participating students in the clinical setting and meet the requirements of NDAC 54-03.2-04-07.
Methods for students to evaluate course, faculty and preceptors.
The LPN IV Therapy Course includes, but is not limited to, 30 hours of theory in intravenous therapy and 4 hours of supervised clinical practice with institutional follow up supervision of IV initiation consistent with orientation and continuing education policies and protocols of each individual institution. The four hours of supervised practice, which is part of the course, includes at least three (3) individually supervised successful venipunctures by each student. A variety of teaching methodologies can be utilized to provide the theoretical instruction.
The IV Therapy Course will include the following:
Review of the NDAC 54-05-01 Standards of Practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse. This includes legalities of both the LPN role and the administration of safe care. Principles of documentation are also included.
Psychological preparation and support for the client receiving IV therapy as well as the appropriate family members/significant others.
Site and function of the peripheral veins used for venipuncture.
Procedure for venipuncture, including physical and psychological preparation, site selection, skin preparation, palpation of veins and collection of equipment.
Relationship between intravenous therapy and the body's homeostatic and regulatory functions, with attention to the clinical anifestations of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
Signs and symptoms of local and systemic complications in the delivery of fluids and medications, and the preventive and treatment measures for these complications.
Identifications of various types of equipment used in administering intravenous therapy with content related to criteria for use of each, and means of problem solving for malfunction.
Formulas and equipment used to calculate fluid and drug administration rate.
Methods of administering drugs intravenously considering the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Principles of compatibility and incompatibility of drugs and solutions.
The effects and complications of medication administered by intravenous bolus.
Utilize the nursing process to manage the care of the client receiving blood components, following institutional protocol. Include indications and contraindications for use, identification of adverse reactions.
Utilize the nursing process to manage the care of the client receiving parenteral nutrition, including principles of metabolism, potential complications, and physical and psychological measures to ensure the desired therapeutic effect.
Utilize the nursing process to manage the care of a client with a central venous line having external access, as determined by board policy, which includes replacing solution containers of prescribed intravenous fluids and/or medications to existing central venous line, changing tubing, sterile dressing care and performing flushes to maintain patency of the central venous line.
Principles of infection control in IV therapy, including aseptic technique and prevention and treatment of iatrogenic infection.
Nursing management of special IV therapy procedures that are commonly used in the clinical setting, such as intermittent infusion device (e.g. saline lock).
Glossary of common terminology pertinent to IV fluid therapy.
Performance checklist by which to evaluate clinical application of knowledge and skills.
Additional interventions as approved by the Board.
