I Glossary
Air embolism: The presence of air in the vascular system that occurs when air is introduced into the venous system and travels to the right ventricle and/or pulmonary circulation.
Arterial blood sampling: Blood is obtained via venipuncture into an artery.
Basal infusion: Continuous rate of medication administration, regardless of demand attempts.
Block height: Level of epidural nerve block recorded by assessing the patient’s response to cold at various levels of the thoracic spine.
Blown vein: A ruptured vein that is leaking blood.
Breakthrough bolus dose: A dose of opioid or non-opioid medication administered by the nurse for breakthrough pain when a patient is receiving patient-controlled analgesia.
Capillary blood testing: A blood sample collected from the capillary blood vessels (i.e., tiny blood vessels located near the surface of the skin).
Catheter embolism: An embolism that occurs when a small part of the cannula breaks off and flows into the vascular system.
Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI): An infection caused by microorganisms introduced into the bloodstream through the puncture site, the hub, or contaminated IV tubing or IV solution, leading to bacteremia or sepsis. A CR-BSI is a hospital-acquired preventable infection and considered an adverse event.
Central venous access device (CVAD): A type of vascular access that involves the insertion of a tube into a vein in the neck, chest, or groin and threaded into a central vein (most commonly the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral) and advanced until the terminal lumen resides within the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, or right atrium.
Demand dose: Medication dose given on activation of demand (pressing the demand button).
Epidural: Administration of analgesics and anesthetics into the spinal fluid via an epidural catheter for severe pain management associated with surgical procedures or during labor and delivery.
Extravasation: A condition that occurs when vesicant solution (medication) is administered and inadvertently leaks into surrounding tissue, causing damage to surrounding tissue. It is characterized by the same signs and symptoms as infiltration but also includes burning, stinging, redness, blistering, or necrosis of the tissue.
Hypertonic solutions: IV fluids with a higher concentration of dissolved particles than blood.
Hypotonic solutions: IV fluids with a lower concentration of dissolved solutes than blood.
Infiltration: A condition that occurs when a nonvesicant solution (IV solution) is inadvertently administered into surrounding tissue. Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, the skin surrounding the insertion site is cool to touch, there is a change in the quality or flow of IV, the skin is tight around the IV site, IV fluid is leaking from IV site, or there are frequent alarms on the IV pump.
Intravenous therapy (IV therapy): Administration of a substance directly into a person’s vein.
Isotonic solutions: IV fluids with a similar concentration of dissolved particles as blood.
Loading dose: Ordered amount of medication administered at the time of PCA initiation.
Lockout interval: Time period in which no follow-up demand dose may be administered (even if demand button is activated).
Lockout maximum: The maximum dose of medication that can be administered within a certain period, commonly prescribed to 1 hour limit.
Midline peripheral catheters: Larger peripheral catheters (i.e., 16-18 gauge) that allow for rapid infusions and blood sampling and can be used for longer duration that traditional peripheral catheters. They are ultrasound-guided and can be inserted by RNs with additional training or other trained professionals.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): A method of pain management that allows hospitalized patients with severe pain to safely self-administer opioid medications using a programmed pump according to their level of discomfort.
Peripheral IV (PIV): A short intravenous catheter inserted by percutaneous venipuncture into a peripheral vein and held in place with a sterile transparent dressing.
Peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC): A thin, flexible tube inserted into a vein in the upper arm and guided into the superior vena cava used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and other medications.
Phlebitis: The inflammation of the vein’s inner lining, the tunica intima. Clinical indications are localized redness, pain, heat, and swelling that can track up the vein leading to a palpable venous cord.
Pulmonary edema: A condition caused by excess fluid accumulation in the lungs due to excessive fluid in the circulatory system. It is characterized by decreased oxygen saturation; increased respiratory rate; fine or coarse crackles in the lung bases; restlessness; breathlessness; dyspnea; and coughing up pink, frothy sputum. Pulmonary edema requires prompt medical attention and treatment.
Saline locks: A short extension set that allows intermittent IV access without ongoing infusion.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): A concentrated solution that is ordered for a patient based on their specific electrolyte and nutritional needs.
Venipuncture: The process of introducing a needle into a patient’s vein to collect a blood sample or insert an IV catheter.