Cannulation is an emergency procedure to access veins by exposing the vein and inserting a cannula under direct vision. It is used for trauma and hypovolemic shock patients to gain vascular access. Intravenous (IV) therapy delivers medications, fluids, blood transfusions, and chemotherapy directly into veins. Advantages include immediate effect, controlled administration, and avoidance of pain compared to other routes. Possible complications are hematoma, thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, systemic infection, and infiltration/extravasation. The lecture discusses sites for IV cannulation in upper extremities like hand and forearm veins, signs of good veins, veins to avoid, and gauges of IV cannulas.

1. By:
Seragaldin M. Abdulqader
Clinical pharmacology for nurses
University of Raparin/school of nursing
The lecture for undergraduate students:
2015 -20168 December 2015 1

2. Cannulation
Is an emergency procedure in which
the vein is exposed to specific
insertion and then a cannula is inter
into the vein under direct vision.
It is used to get vascular access
especially in trauma and hypovolemic
shock patients.
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3. IV therapy
Intravenous simply means "within vein".
Therapies administered intravenously
are often included in the designation
of specialty drugs.
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Intravenous therapy may be used to
correct electrolyte imbalances, to deliver
medications, for blood transfusion or as fluid
replacement to correct, e.g.: dehydration.
Intravenous therapy can also be used
for chemotherapy.

4. Advantages
 Immediate effect
 Control over the rate of administration
 Patient cannot tolerate drugs / fluids orally
 Some drugs cannot be absorbed by any other route
 Pain and irritation is avoided compared to some
substances when given SC/IM
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5. Possible Complications
 Hematoma
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6. Possible Complications
 Thrombophlebitis
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7. Possible Complications
 Cellulites
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8. Possible Complications
 Systemic infection
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9. Possible Complications
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 Infiltration/Extravasation
C

10. Sites of chosen vein of
the upper extremities
 Veins of the Hand
1. Digital Dorsal veins
2. Dorsal Metacarpal veins
3. Dorsal venous network
4. Cephalic vein
5. Basilic vein
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11. Sites of chosen vein of
the upper extremities
 Veins of the Forearm
1. Cephalic vein
2. Median Cubital vein
3. Accessory Cephalic Vein
4. Basilic vein
5. Cephalic vein
6. Median ante brachial vein
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12. What are the signs of a good vein ?
 Soft
 Visible
 Bouncy
 Straight
 Easily palpable
 Well supported
 Has a large lumen
 Above previous sites
 Refills when depressed
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13. What veins should you avoid ?
 Mobile
 Thin / Fragile
 Inflamed / bruised
 Near bony prominences
 Thrombosed / sclerosed / fibrosed
 Do not use if patient has IV fluid in the site
 Have undergone multiple previous punctures
 Areas or sites of infection, oedema or phlebitis
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14. Gauges of IV Cannula
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15. Gauges of IV Cannula
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16. Thank you
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