LIFE SUPPORT LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED ALREADY GRADED A+.
✅how long should a tourniquet be left on the arm before cannulation? Answer: 2-3 mins
✅what do you document on the VACIS after cannulation Answer: Site of insertion-vein and
arm/hand
Type and gauge of cannula
Date and time of insertion
Type and amount of IV solution
Reason for IV therapy
✅4 potential complications with IV cannulation Answer: venous spasm
occlusion
Haematoma
extravasation
✅extravasation Answer: leakage of intravenously (IV) infused, and potentially damaging,
medications into the extravascular tissue around the site of infusion.
✅phlebitis Answer: inflammation of a vein
✅occlusion Answer: plugging; an obstruction or a closing off
✅what causes extravasation Answer: - Catheter erodes through the vessel wall at a second
point
,- Increased venous pressure causes leakage around the venipuncture site
- When a needle pulls out of the vein
- Vesicant drugs/solutions may cause severe tissue injury
✅signs and symptoms extravasation Answer: - Oedema and changes in the site's
appearance
- Coolness of the skin
- Slowing of infusion
- Pain or a feeling of tightness around the site.
- Possible consequences include necrotic ulcers, infection, disfigurement, and loss of function
✅intervention for extravasation Answer: - Remove cannula
- Elevate affected arm
- Apply ice pack (early) or warm compress (late)
✅signs and symptoms of haematomas Answer: Swelling, tenderness and discolouration
✅prevention of haematoma Answer: - Proper device insertion
- Pressure over site on removal of cannula
✅intervention of haematoma Answer: - Apply appropriate pressure bandage
- Monitor the site
✅causes of phlebitis Answer: - Poor aseptic technique
,- High osmolarity I.V. infusions or drugs
- Trauma to the vein during insertion/incorrect cannula gauge
- Prolonged use of the same site
✅signs and symptoms of phlebitis Answer: - Tenderness, redness, heat and oedema
- Advanced (induration, palpable venous cord)
✅intervention for phlebitis Answer: - Remove cannula
- Apply warm compress
- Observe for signs of infection
- If phlebitis is advanced antibiotics may be required
✅causes of venous spasm Answer: - Patient anxiety
- Cold I.V. fluids
- Drug irritation
- Trauma to the vein during cannula insertion
✅signs and symptoms of venous spasms Answer: - Pain
- Slowing of the I.V. infusion
- Blanching at the insertion site
- Vein difficult to palpate
✅intervention of venous spasm Answer: - Apply warm compress
- Slow the infusion rate
- Reassure the patient
✅causes of occlusion Answer: - Fibrin formation in or around the tip of the cannula
- Mechanical occlusion (kink) of the cannula
- Cannula not flushed
, - Kinking of the cannula
- Back flow or interrupted flow
✅signs and symptoms of occlusion Answer: - I.V. not running
- Blood in the line
- Discomfort
✅intervention of occlusion Answer: - Check for kinks in cannula
- Raise IV higher
- Remove cannula
✅cause of thrombophlebitis Answer: - Injury to the vein
- Infection
- Chemical irritation
- Prolonged use of the same vein
✅signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis Answer: - Tenderness/redness
- Heat/oedema
- Cordlike appearance of the vein
- Slowing of the IV infusion
✅interventions for thrombophlebitis Answer: - Remove cannula
- Observe for signs of infection
- Change cannula frequently (48-72hrs)
✅AEIOUTIPS (temp) Answer: - Hyperthermia >40°C
***Temperature regulating mechanisms are overwhelmed by:
- high temperatures in environment or
CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED ALREADY GRADED A+.
✅how long should a tourniquet be left on the arm before cannulation? Answer: 2-3 mins
✅what do you document on the VACIS after cannulation Answer: Site of insertion-vein and
arm/hand
Type and gauge of cannula
Date and time of insertion
Type and amount of IV solution
Reason for IV therapy
✅4 potential complications with IV cannulation Answer: venous spasm
occlusion
Haematoma
extravasation
✅extravasation Answer: leakage of intravenously (IV) infused, and potentially damaging,
medications into the extravascular tissue around the site of infusion.
✅phlebitis Answer: inflammation of a vein
✅occlusion Answer: plugging; an obstruction or a closing off
✅what causes extravasation Answer: - Catheter erodes through the vessel wall at a second
point
,- Increased venous pressure causes leakage around the venipuncture site
- When a needle pulls out of the vein
- Vesicant drugs/solutions may cause severe tissue injury
✅signs and symptoms extravasation Answer: - Oedema and changes in the site's
appearance
- Coolness of the skin
- Slowing of infusion
- Pain or a feeling of tightness around the site.
- Possible consequences include necrotic ulcers, infection, disfigurement, and loss of function
✅intervention for extravasation Answer: - Remove cannula
- Elevate affected arm
- Apply ice pack (early) or warm compress (late)
✅signs and symptoms of haematomas Answer: Swelling, tenderness and discolouration
✅prevention of haematoma Answer: - Proper device insertion
- Pressure over site on removal of cannula
✅intervention of haematoma Answer: - Apply appropriate pressure bandage
- Monitor the site
✅causes of phlebitis Answer: - Poor aseptic technique
,- High osmolarity I.V. infusions or drugs
- Trauma to the vein during insertion/incorrect cannula gauge
- Prolonged use of the same site
✅signs and symptoms of phlebitis Answer: - Tenderness, redness, heat and oedema
- Advanced (induration, palpable venous cord)
✅intervention for phlebitis Answer: - Remove cannula
- Apply warm compress
- Observe for signs of infection
- If phlebitis is advanced antibiotics may be required
✅causes of venous spasm Answer: - Patient anxiety
- Cold I.V. fluids
- Drug irritation
- Trauma to the vein during cannula insertion
✅signs and symptoms of venous spasms Answer: - Pain
- Slowing of the I.V. infusion
- Blanching at the insertion site
- Vein difficult to palpate
✅intervention of venous spasm Answer: - Apply warm compress
- Slow the infusion rate
- Reassure the patient
✅causes of occlusion Answer: - Fibrin formation in or around the tip of the cannula
- Mechanical occlusion (kink) of the cannula
- Cannula not flushed
, - Kinking of the cannula
- Back flow or interrupted flow
✅signs and symptoms of occlusion Answer: - I.V. not running
- Blood in the line
- Discomfort
✅intervention of occlusion Answer: - Check for kinks in cannula
- Raise IV higher
- Remove cannula
✅cause of thrombophlebitis Answer: - Injury to the vein
- Infection
- Chemical irritation
- Prolonged use of the same vein
✅signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis Answer: - Tenderness/redness
- Heat/oedema
- Cordlike appearance of the vein
- Slowing of the IV infusion
✅interventions for thrombophlebitis Answer: - Remove cannula
- Observe for signs of infection
- Change cannula frequently (48-72hrs)
✅AEIOUTIPS (temp) Answer: - Hyperthermia >40°C
***Temperature regulating mechanisms are overwhelmed by:
- high temperatures in environment or
