Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-05-06 Origin: Site
In the process of intravenous infusion, the use of a tourniquet is a common practice.
The primary purpose of a tourniquet is to reduce the flow of blood in the vein, making it more prominent and easier to insert an intravenous needle. This facilitates the identification of suitable veins and reduces the discomfort and pain for the patient during needle insertion.
The application of a tourniquet should be limited. Generally, it should be removed immediately after the insertion of the intravenous needle to avoid excessive obstruction of blood flow. It is recommended that the tourniquet be applied for no more than 1-2 minutes to minimize the risk of vein damage and thrombosis.
It is crucial to correctly apply a tourniquet to ensure effective reduction of blood flow. Here are the steps for proper application:
Choose an appropriate position, typically about 4-6 inches above the site where the intravenous needle will be inserted.
Wrap the tourniquet tightly around the patient's arm, ensuring it is neither too tight nor too loose.
Leave some slack when tying the tourniquet to allow for the insertion of two fingers between the tourniquet and the patient's skin.
Secure the tourniquet with a knot or other suitable method to prevent it from accidentally loosening or sliding.
Generally, it is not advisable to flush intravenous infusion while the tourniquet is applied. This is because the tourniquet restricts normal blood flow, which may result in suboptimal infusion and an increased risk of infection. Therefore, the tourniquet should be removed before flushing the intravenous infusion to ensure normal blood flow.
