Advanced IV Therapeutics

This unit focuses on advanced intravenous therapies including central venous access devices, safe pharmacologic IV administration, blood component transfusion, chemotherapy infusion, fluid and electrolyte management, and parenteral nutrition. Students build on foundational IV skills to safely calculate, deliver, monitor, and troubleshoot complex IV therapies in preparation for clinical application.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze indications, contraindications, maintenance requirements, and complication signs for central venous access devices (CVADs) and determine appropriate troubleshooting and care actions.
• Apply safe medication administration principles to calculate IV infusion rates, prepare and deliver IV medications and blood components, and perform required verification and documentation steps.
• Demonstrate aseptic technique, infusion setup, monitoring protocols, and immediate response procedures for adverse reactions during transfusions, chemotherapy infusions, and parenteral nutrition delivery.
• Evaluate patient-specific fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional needs by interpreting relevant laboratory values and clinical data to recommend IV therapy adjustments and collaborate with the care team.