Intravenous Fluid Therapy and Blood Transfusion (2 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- knows the basics of fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- is able to monitor the patient's fluid infusion and blood transfusion implementation
- knows how to perform peripheral vein cannulation safely and aseptically
- knows how to correctly calculate medication additions, dilutions and infusions and administer them aseptically
- knows the infusion equipment and the different infusion fluids and the purpose of their use
- is able to plan, implement and evaluate the patient's intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusions according to given orders
- is able to guide the patient in issues related to fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- identifies his/her own ethical responsibility for implementing fluid therapy and transfusions.

Content (course unit)

- aseptics and safety in fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- fluid balance, acid-base balance and electrolyte balance
- planning, implementation and assessment of intravenous fluid- and medication therapy
- infusions
- medication additions and medication dilutions
- peripheral vein cannulation
- fluid and blood transfusion equipment and devices
- blood products and blood transfusion
- guidance of fluid therapy and blood transfusion

Prerequisites (course unit)

Participation in the course on Infection Control.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student
- knows the basics of intravenous fluids and medication
- knows the basics of blood transfusion
- knows the basic principles of safe performance of medication supplements and drug dilution
- knows the basic principles of patient infusion monitoring and blood transfusion monitoring and their implementation
- knows the different infusions and their intended use.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student
- is able to describe the basics of intravenous fluid and drug therapy
- is able to plan and implement the patient’s intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion according to the orders given
- is able to safely prepare medication supplements and drips
- is able to monitor and evaluate the patient's fluid infusion and blood transfusion procedure
- is able to guide the patient on issues related to fluid therapy and blood transfusion.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student
- is able to apply the basics of intravenous fluid and drug therapy
- is able to apply the knowledge of fluid therapy, various medication additions, and drug dilutions in patient care
- is able to draw conclusions about the patient's fluid therapy and blood transfusion
- is able to properly guide the patient on issues related to fluid therapy and blood transfusion implementation.

Location and time

Spring 2021

Exam schedules

Course exam week 8-9 in Exam ( video controlled exam space)
Mandatory online tests and assignments (more information given during the course)
1st retake week 14 in Exam
2nd retake week 19 in Exam

Assessment methods and criteria

Mandatory participation in the course's orientation meeting (first lecture). More information about the compulsory participation and assignments given during the orientation meeting.
Student should take part and complete given assignments/group work, possible online course -tests. Active participation in group work. Online course activities will have an effect on the final exam's points and thus the final grade.
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

The implementation plan will be updated before the orientation
This course will have contact teaching/learning, online learning, group work and written assignments and 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.

Online links:
https://www.bloodservice.fi/
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/


Other course materials and references given by the teacher.

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

To be able to participate:
Participation in the course on Infection Control.
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 IV fluids and monitor IV fluid therapy 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 products, safe blood transfusion
- guidance in patient care with intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusion