If your loved one is receiving intravenous therapy, he or she will need to be closely monitored during a flight. An air medical transport nurse will maintain the intravenous therapy line and monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of problems related to intravenous therapy. Here are some ways flight nurses help keep people safe while they are receiving intravenous therapy during a flight.
Administering Fluids
People with chronic illnesses can become dehydrated quickly. Dehydration might be even more likely to develop during air travel. The air medical transport nurse will administer fluids to the patient if signs and symptoms of dehydration develop. These signs may include sunken eyes, poor skin turgor, dry mouth, sticky mucous membranes, poor urinary output, and dark-colored urine.
Some people are unable to consume fluids orally because of swallowing difficulties or otherwise, and because of this, they require intravenous fluid therapy. The nurse with also monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of fluid overload, which may include swelling of the face, legs, or arms, elevated blood pressure, difficulty breathing, abdominal bloating, and severe headache.
Monitor Entry Site
The flight nurse will also closely monitor the intravenous entry site for signs and symptoms of infiltration or infection. These include swelling, increased warmth and redness over the intravenous site, bleeding, and drainage. Also, if the patient develops systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, muscle pain, or fatigue, it may mean that the intravenous site is infected.
If the travel nurse determines that the site is infected, he or she will carefully remove the needle, clean the area, and cover it with a sterile dressing. Once the patient is safely transported to his or her destination, the nurse may consult with the physician about the site infection.
If you want to know more about how travel nurses can safely maintain intravenous lines, contact Flying Nurses International LLC through our website