Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to perform peripheral intravenous cannulation on clients.
This unit applies to registered enrolled nurses, registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and emergency workers for whom peripheral intravenous cannulation is part of the job role. They may be working in hospitals, primary health care in rural remote locations, pathology services, out-of-hospital settings or in other allied health care environments.
The extent of the practitioner’s role for peripheral intravenous cannulation may be subject to state/territory legislation and organisation policy, and competency should be demonstrated within the context of applicable legislation and organisation practice.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
• prepared equipment and performed peripheral intravenous cannulation for 3 different clients according to manufacturer’s instructions and organisation procedures
• monitored 1 in-situ peripheral intravenous cannula, documenting assessment of the patency of the cannula and condition of the site
• safely removed 1 peripheral intravenous cannula from a client in accordance with organisation procedures

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
• basic anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system and first aid relevant to bleeding from peripheral vascular system
• factors necessitating a client to need a peripheral intravenous cannula to be in-situ:
• venous blood samples
• intravenous fluids
• medication
• identification of suitable veins in the upper and lower limbs for peripheral intravenous cannulation including:
• size and condition of clients vein
• use of non-dominant limb if possible
• avoid the cephalic vein in clients with chronic renal failure
• expected duration of the in-situ intravenous cannula
• identification of veins to avoid using for peripheral intravenous cannulation:
• areas of flexion e.g. antecubital fossa or bony prominences
• vein just below the previous cannulation site
• bruised or phlebitis areas
• areas of poor venous return
• limb with arteriovenous fistulae or shunt
• infected limb e.g. cellulitis
• arm on the same side as a previous lymph node dissection, mastectomy or affected by a cerebrovascular accident
• limb with an implanted venous access device
• if surgical procedure is required on limb
• basic medical terminology used in peripheral vascular cannulation and pathology laboratory requests
• factors which may affect the chemical analysis of blood collected from an in-situ peripheral intravenous cannula:
• appropriate times to collect
• impact of drugs
• timing of last dose
• required fasting times
• protecting the integrity of the specimen
• how to position client for comfort and adjust chair or bed to reduce practitioners WHS risk factors associated with poor posture during repetitive tasks
• clinical applications for sizes (gauge) of cannula required, selection should take into account:
• previous cannulation sites
• age of patient e.g. neonates, children and the older person
• purpose of peripheral intravenous cannula:
• rapid transfusion
• intravenous fluids
• long term medication
• care and maintenance of peripheral intravenous cannula in- situ
• complications associated with peripheral intravenous cannulation:
• occlusion
• infection
• phlebitis
• rupture
• migration
• extravasation
• unsuccessful cannulation attempt, client discomfort or distress
• how to safely use equipment associated with peripheral intravenous cannulation:
• tourniquet and/or blood pressure cuff
• chlorhexidine and alcohol swabs
• peripheral intravenous cannula
• local anaesthetic cream and dressings
• extension set and/or three-way tap device & bung associated with intravenous therapy
• flushing in-situ cannula with syringe
• pre-collection criteria when peripheral intravenous cannulation is for the purpose of collecting blood including:
• fasting and/or dietary restrictions
• drug therapies administered to client
• physical health status of client
• referral of client to an appropriate health professional if pre-criteria is not met prior to cannulation

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations has not been provided in the workplace. The following aspects of the performance evidence must have been demonstrated using simulation prior to demonstration in the workplace or with members of the general public and where state/territory legislation prevents this occurring:
• prepared equipment and performed peripheral intravenous cannulation for 3 different clients according to manufacturer’s instructions and organisation procedures
• monitored 1 in-situ peripheral intravenous cannula, documenting assessment of the patency of the cannula and condition of the site
• safely removed 1 peripheral intravenous cannula from a client in accordance with organisation procedures
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
• simulation learning equipment e.g. simulation limb suitable for peripheral intravenous cannulation
• dressing pack for aseptic technique
• solution for cleaning cannulation site
• tape for securing cannula
• suitable dressing to cover and allow visibility of entry site of cannula
• peripheral intravenous cannulation equipment
• personal protective equipment
• clinical waste disposal equipment
• tourniquet/blood pressure cuff
• organisation procedure used in the planning of the procedure
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Foundation Skills', 'description': 'The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (such as, language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance\nFoundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.'}

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