This I.V. Course is designed to teach you the art of cannulation. Cannulation or cannulization is the insertion of a cannula (plastic tubing) into a blood vessel. During the I.V. class you will learn the following ....

  1. When, why and how we do I.V.'s - who is an acceptable patient to receive an I.V.
  2. types of I.V. fluids, Isotonic, Hypotonic, Hypertonic, Crystalloid, Colloid and their uses.
  3. Vein identification, location, selection and preparation for cannulation.
  4. Complications of I.V. therapy i.e. Infiltration, catheter shear, phlebitis, cellulitis, edema etc.
  5. Care, monitoring, and discontinuation of an I.V.
  6. Calculating drip rates, infusion of medication, dilution, and emergency fluid administration.
  7. Anatomy, physiology of the body and how different fluids affect the vascular compartment.
  8. I.V. equipment training on J-Loops, extension tubing, injection ports, claves and hep locks.

During the I.V. class you will learn everything you need to know to successfully prepare for an I.V., perform the I.V. procedure, monitor the I.V. for complications, and discontinue the I.V. when it is no longer necessary for the patient to have venous access.

Using a needle with a plastic cannula over the top of it, you slide the needle into the vein and then slide the cannula off of the needle into the lumen of the vein. Upon complete insertion you will then occlude the vein, and withdraw the needle at which time you will connect your extension tubing to the plastic cannula. That explanation is quite simple, but the procedure and all things surrounding it are a little tougher to learn than just reading it out loud.