chapter 8: vascular access and medication administration Flashcards
medical asepsis
the practice of preventing contamination of the patient by using aseptic techniqie
aseptic technique
method of cleansing intended to prevent contamination of a site when performing an invasive procedure
vascular access
cannulation of a peripheral extremity vein
standing orders
a form of indirect medical control, in which the paramedic performs certain predefined procedures without any consultation
direct medical control
some EMS system medical directors may not allow paramedics to perform certain procedures before making contact with the medical director or a designated physician
sterile technique
the destruction of all living organisms and is achieved by using heat, gas, or chemicals
antiseptics
used to cleanse an area before performing an invasive procedure
the most common antiseptics are rubbing alcohol and iodine
disinfectants
toxic to living tissues, you should never use them on a patient
ex) virex, cidex, microside
the first rule of routine precautions
treat any body fluid as being potentially infectious
sharps
any contaminated item that can cause injury
total body water
constitutes 60% of the weight of an adult
intracellular fluid
the water contained inside the cells; 45% of body weight
extracellular fluid
the water outside the cells; 15% of body weight
interstitial fluid
the water bathing the cells; 10.5% of body weight
intravascular fluid
the water within the blood vessels, carries red blood cells, white blood cells and vital nutrients; ~4.5% of body weight
solvent
the fluid that does the dissolving
solute
the dissolved particles contained in the solvent
sodium
the principal extracellular cation needed to regulate the distribution of water throughout the body in the IV and interstitial fluid compartments
potassium
the principal intracellular cation, plays a major role in neuromuscular function and in the conversion of glucose into glycogen
calcium
principal cation needed for bone growth
magnesium
has an important role as a coenzyme in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates
bicarbonate
the primary buffer used in all circulating body fluids
bicarbonate levels are the determining factor between acidosis and alkalosis in the body
chloride
a primary determinant of stomach pH
it also regulates ECF levels.
phosphorous
an important component in adenosine triphosphate, the body’s powerful energy source