Intravenous Fluid Therapy and Blood Transfusion (2cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- knows the basics of intravenous fluid therapy and medication;
- is able to assess patients' fluid balance;
- is able to responsibly insert intravenous cannula under supervision;
- knows the principles of blood transfusion;
- is able to guide patients with issues concerning implementation of fluid therapy and blood transfusions.

Content (course unit)

- implementation of intravenous fluid therapy and medication
- implementation of blood transfusions

Prerequisites (course unit)

Participation in the following courses:
Infection Control in Nursing,
Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations

Location and time

Spring 2019

Exam schedules

The 1st exam will in Exam 12.4.-28.4.2019
1st retake 13.5.-24.5.2019
2nd retake August 2019
Links for the enrollment will be given later.

Assessment methods and criteria

Mandatory participation in the course's orientation meeting (first lecture). More information about the compulsory assignments given during the orientation meeting.
Student should complete given assignments, possible online course -tests. Active participation in group work.
Final exam, will be graded 0-5.
If any answer in the exam might result to patient's death or severely harming the patient, the exam will be failed.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

This course will have contact teaching, online learning, group work and written assignments, independent study.

Learning materials

Brady, Anne-Marie; McCabe, Catherine; McCann, Margaret. Fundamentals of medical-surgical nursing : a systems approach. 2014. Part 1, chapter 3. Principles of intravenous therapy.
Smeltzer S., Bare B., Hinkle J. & Cheever K. : Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Wolters Kluwer: 12th/13th/14th edition. Chapter: Fluid and Electrolytes: balance and disturbance, fluid volume disturbances, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, parenteral fluid therapy. Chapter: Shock and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome: hypovolemic shock. Chapter: Assessment of Hematologic Function and Tretment Modalities: anatomic and physiologic overview, procuring blood and blood products, transfusion.
Weston, Debbie, Burgess, Alison, Roberts, Sue, 2017. Infection prevention and control at a glance. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd 2017. E-book Central. Part 3, Chapter 20. The infection prevention management of intravascular devices.
Other course materials and references given by the teacher.
Online links:
www.ihn-org.com
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-transfusion
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-transfusion/
https://www.who.int/bloodsafety/en/

Student workload

2 ECTS/54 hours of student's work

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

This course is mandatory before Orientation to Clinical Training, Basics of Intravenous Fluid Therapy -course. The course material will be benefited in the orientation practices.

International connections

None during this course, the course will be in English.

Further information

Objectives for the course:
The student:
• Is aware of the main disturbances in fluid balance and the medical and nursing interventions for maintaining the fluid balance
• is able to actively participate carrying out blood transfusion, knows and understands the safety protocols
• Knows the most common intravenous fluids used in parenteral fluid therapy
• Knows the most common formulas of total parenteral nutrition and appropriate administration methods
• Is able to administer and monitor IV fluids by using appropriate control devices
Contents of the course:
- aseptics and safely in intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- fluid balance, acid-base balance, electrolyte balance
- intravenous fluid therapy and medication administration
- intravenous infusion fluids
- medication additives, medication dilutions
- peripheral venous cannulation
- intravenous fluids and blood transfusion devices and machines
- different blood product, safe blood transfusion
- guidance in patient care with intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student does not pass the criteria for satisfactory level

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
- knows the basic principles of intravenous fluid therapy and intravenous medication administration
- knows the basic principles of the blood transfusion
- knows the basic principles of administering intravenouos medications safely: how to dilute or prepare medications
- knows the basic principles of intravenous fluid therapy and patient monitoring
- knows the basic intravenous fluids and the indications for their use

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
- understands the principles of intravenous fluid therapy and intravenous medication administration
-understands principles of safe blood transfusion, and understands nurse's role and responsibility in the transfusion process
- is able to administer intravenouos medications safely: knows how to dilute or prepare medications
- is able to monitor and observe the patient during intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- is able to guide patient in relation to intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion (with assistance and supervision)

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
- understands the principles of intravenous fluid therapy and intravenous medication administration in various different nursing environments, and is able to take part in the care with assistance
- understands the reason for blood transfusion, understands the protocols of safe blood transfusion
- understands the meaning of intravenous medication therapy, and would be able to administer intravenous medications safely
- is able to monitor and understand the changes in patient's condition in relation to intravenous fluid or medication therapy
- is able to guide the patient with evidence-based information, understanding different options and individual differences in the care