Image of the Washington DC flag.

District of Columbia LPN IV Education

This course has been designed to provide basic conceptual and operational knowledge to District of Columbia Licensed Practical Nurses who have had limited exposure to infusion therapy principles and practice.  As the science of infusion therapy advances and technology expands, it is imperative that all healthcare clinicians and nurses practicing infusion therapy remain current in their knowledge of infusion therapies, principles, techniques, equipment, and the latest in infusion evidence-based practices. The District of Columbia Board of Nursing list specific rules regarding the LPNs infusion practice, detailing what procedures may be performed by the LPN and what procedures are considered out of the scope of practice.

In early 2024, the Infusion Nurses Society (INS), recognized as the global authority in infusion therapy, released the updated Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. The INS sets the accepted standards for infusion therapy practice for all healthcare settings. This course is based on the current best practices as defined by the Infusion Nursing Society and other governing agencies such as the CDC, and FDA.

This 12-hour online continuing education provides a low stress, convenient method of obtaining quality infusion education incorporating various educational techniques designed for the adult learner. The program is comprised of the 14 hour didactic portion completed on your time schedule. Upon successful completion of the course exam, with a score of 80% or greater, the student may instantly print a “Certificate of Completion” for the didactic portion of the course. Within the course content, we provide a complete set of skill check-off lists for completion by preceptor or employer designated staff member. ​

Have questions? Check out our FAQs page and our page, How Online IV Certification Works. If you need to purchase IV education for your staff, see our Learning Management System page for more information and instructions on how to get started. We offer bulk discounts!

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  1. List specific measures that will protect against malpractice.
  2. Identify infusion-related complications, causes, and appropriate treatment.
  3. Demonstrate the correct calculation of an IV flow rate.
  4. Identify methods of infection control related to IV therapy.
  5. List the components of accurate and complete documentation of IV procedures and complications.
  6. Demonstrate IV and infusion-related procedures.
  7. List reasons for use and advantages of central lines.
  8. List veins used for central venous device placement and proper tip position.
  9. Identify the various types of central lines.
  10. Identify symptoms and the prevention of complications with central venous devices.
  11. Describe assessment criteria and documentation required for patients with central venous catheters.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Legal Issues

  • Regulatory Agencies and Governing Bodies 
  • Components of a Complete Order 
  • Legal Terms and Applications 
  • Protective Measures for Guarding Against Malpractice Lawsuits

Chapter 2: Anatomy and Physiology

  • The Vascular System: Veins, Arteries, and Bone Marrow 
  • The Three Layers of the Vessels and Their Function 
  • Differentiating Arteries from Veins
  • Veins Used in Peripheral Intravenous Therapy for Pediatrics and Adults
  • Intraosseous
  • Skin ‐ Anatomy and Physiology

Chapter 3: Psychological Needs of the IV Patient

  • Age Specific Needs
  • Elderly Patient Needs 
  • Cultural Aspects
  • Patients with Sensory Deficits 
  • Methods of Reducing Patient Anxiety 
  • Patient Teaching/Education

Chapter 4: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

  • Water: The Primary Fluid of the Body
  • Hypovolemia - Dehydration: Assessment, Causes, Treatments 
  • Hypervolemia - Fluid Overload: Assessment, Causes, Treatments 
  • Fluid Compartments
  • Electrolyte Imbalances: Assessment, Causes, Treatments

Chapter 5: pH, Osmolality, and Incompatibilities of Solutions and Medications

  • pH of Intravenous Solutions and Medications
  • Tonicity: Isotonic Solutions, Hypotonic Solutions, and Hypertonic Solutions Incompatibilities

Chapter 6: Fluid Regulation

  • Methods of Fluid Regulation
  • Patient Considerations in Fluid Regulation
  • External Factors that Affect the Rate of Flow 
  • Calculation of IV flow Rates

Chapter 7: Infection Prevention and Safety Compliance

  • Hand Hygiene
  • Sharps Management
  • Medical Waste Disposal
  • Durable Medical Equipment Disinfection
  • Standard Precautions
  • Transmission-Based Precautions
  • Aseptic No Touch Technique- ANTT

Chapter 8: Vascular Visualization

  • Trans-illuminator Technology
  • Near Infrared Technology
  • Ultrasound

Chapter 9: Site Selection and Device Placement

  • Criteria For Peripheral Devices
  • 3 Types of Peripheral Access and Criteria for Placement
  • Special Considerations of The Specific Age Groups
  • General Considerations of Short Peripheral Access 
  • Veins to Avoid

Chapter 10: Vascular Access Device Management

  • Needleless Connectors
  • Filtration
  • Add-on Devices
  • VAD Stabilization
  • Joint Stabilization
  • Site Protection
  • Flushing and Locking
  • Assessment, Care, and Dressing Changes
  • Administration Set Changes

Chapter 11: Peripheral Complications

  • Local Complications 
  • Hematoma
  • Infiltration
  • Extravasation
  • Phlebitis
  • Site Infection
  • Catheter Occlusion
  • MARSI
  • Nerves—Avoiding Damage
  • Compartment Syndrome
  • Systemic Complications

Chapter 12: Procedures Guides and Videos

  • Pre-insertion Procedures
  • Peripheral IV Insertion
  • Primary and Secondary Administration Setup
  • IV Push Administration
  • Catheter Discontinuation

Chapter 13: Assessment and Documentation

  • Catheter Insertion Documentation 
  • Catheter Removal Documentation
  • Assessment, Monitoring, and Documentation by Therapy

Chapter 14: Central Line Review

  • Definition of a central line
  • Reasons for the use of a central line
  • Advantages of a central line
  • Overview of Central Venous Access Devices:
    • Lumens
    • Non‐valved and valved catheters
    • Non‐tunneled catheters
    • Tunneled catheters
    • Implanted ports
    • PICC or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

Chapter 15: Anatomy

  • Veins used for placement of central venous access devices
  • Catheter tip placement

Chapter 16: Assessment and Preparations for Central Venous Catheterization

  • Considerations for the selection of the device
  • Preparations for central venous catheterization

Chapter 17: Vascular Access Device Management

  • Needleless connectors
  • CVAD stabilization
  • Site protection
  • Flushing and locking
  • Assessment, care, and dressing changes
  • Administration set changes
  • Blood Sampling from a CVAD

Chapter 18: CVAD Complications

  • Catheter-related complications
  • Systemic complications
  • Insertion related complications

Chapter 19: Assessment, Documentation, and Patient Education

  • Documentation of insertions, removal, infiltration, or extravasations
  • Assessment, monitoring, and documentation

Chapter 20: Skill Checklists

  • Medication Administration via Primary Continuous or Intermittent Infusion
  • Electronic Infusion Device Programming
  • Peripheral IV Catheter Insertion
  • IV Push
  • Administration of Infusate via an Ambulatory Infusion Pump
  • Medication Administration via an Elastomeric Device
  • Accessing a Port
  • Blood Specimen Collection From a CVAD
  • De-Accessing an Implanted Port
  • Electronic Infusion Device Programming
  • Medication Administration
  • Midline or Central Line Dressing Change
  • Needleless Connector Device Change

Chapter 21: References

 

Price: $145.00

Contact Hours: 12

Image of the Washington DC flag.

Course Author

Author photo of Capra Garrison

Capra Garrison

Capra Garrison, Registered Nurse, has more than 33 years of experience in infusion therapy and the instruction of licensed nurses in infusion therapy continuing education. Her experience comes from multiple infusion settings: acute care, ambulatory infusion centers, home infusion, long term care continuing education provider, and long term care pharmacy quality assurance consultant.

Read Full Bio

Course Accreditation

See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.

Ready to begin?

Go to the student dashboard.

Not sure what courses you need?

Browse our course catalog!