Reasons to give IV questions

mrscurtwkids4 · Feb 27, 2008

Really it seems to me the main reason for TKO the IV's is so that there is still a flow to keep the IV site good without the nurse having to flush the site Qshift. The few cc's an hour isn't really important as far as intake is concerned. It's mostly to preserve the IV site.

As for the IV antibiotics, I believe they are given for times sake. The person is sick enough that they need the antibiotic given more rapidly. The amount being given is more precise as well. You don't have to worry about the GI tract not absorbing the medication sufficiently.

YellowFinchFan · Feb 27, 2008

Hey guys,
I'm a SN and I have a project about IVs due in a couple weeks.
I was wondering what is the point of "TKO". Is it safe to say (so my professor doesnt call me out in the middle of my presentation) that we TKO so the pt. doesnt have to keep getting injections?
Also, in relation to IVs, I was wondering why some antibiotics are given through IV. Again, is it safe to say: for constant levels of the antibiotic in the system
Im sorry, i just realized how pretty long this question turned out to be
-1st year SN

TKO or KVO = to keep open or keep vein open - basically to keep the IV site patent and ready to use when needed.

It doesn't mean they won't get 'injections' (?) You might be confusing a PICC line in which labs can be drawn from (therefore less needle sticks for patient) ?

morte, LPN, LVN · Feb 27, 2008

some antibiotics can only be given IV, some only PO, and sometimes depends what you are treating....

Fiona59 · Feb 27, 2008

We KVO when patients are a hard start and we can't risk losing the site.

MikeyJ, RN · Feb 27, 2008

In regards to your antibiotics via IV -- think about absorption and distribution. What is the best route to administer a medication if you are looking for quick absorption and distribution? That would be IV. PO is perhaps the slowest method of absorption, followed by an injection (IM, SubQ, etc.).

Thus, if you have a patient who has an acute infection, and they are hospitalized because of that infection, the best route would be IV because the medication would work much quicker due to the quick absorption and distribution.

fultzymom · Feb 27, 2008

TKO is to keep the site good incase of an emergency and you need quick access.

IV ATB are given because some are painful when given IM. Also it is faster acting if given IV. If you have someone sick then you want to give them the fastest possible route so the meds can work faster.

Hope this helps.

Leslie

Snoba77er · Feb 27, 2008

wow thanks, i just woke up and boom, so many responses already.

As far as medications that can only be given through IV, what are some examples?

Snoba77er · Feb 27, 2008

oh btw, the reasons I have so far for IV insertions are: for Fluid/electrolyte imbalances, blood/blood component replacement, TPN, and medication administration. Any major reason you guys think im missing?

g2g to patho now *sigh*

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2008

another reason antibiotics and other drugs are given iv is because more of the drug is absorbed and utilized when given intravenously. when given orally, many drugs are destroyed by stomach acids before getting into the blood stream.

were you aware that there are student forums? you can get to them by clicking on the "students" tab at the top of any allnurses page you are on. the sticky threads on these forums have lots of helpful weblinks for students.

queenjean · Feb 28, 2008

One reason for TKO is if a pt is getting multiple IV meds, it is easier to administer them piggyback than to flush and attach multiple times. Especially during the noc, I can go in and hang their scheduled abx without waking them. Having to find the site, flush it, attach the IV, then detach and flush again in 30 minutes can be quite disruptive, especially if it has to happen more than once in the noc.