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11/13/24, 7\:27 PM Guide | Setting up IV fluids

Setting up IV

Table of contents

Gather equipment

Collect the equipment required for the procedure and place it within reach on a tray or trolley, ensuring that all the items are
clearly visible\:
Clean procedure tray
Non-sterile gloves
Intravenous
Giving set
Normal saline 0.9% (10 ml)*
Syringe (10ml)*
Alcohol wipe
Infusion pump (If required)
Drip stand
™
*These are not required if using a pre-
Types of IV
IV
Crystalloids\: solutions of small molecules in water (e.g. sodium chloride, Hartmann’s, dextrose)
Colloids\: solutions of larger organic molecules (e.g. albumin, Gelofusine)
For more information, see our guide to IV .

Preparing the IV

Safety checks

Read the prescription chart and select a bag of
Carefully check the batch number and expiry date on the
Inspect the
Inspect the contents for any precipitate or cloudiness.
Double-check the prescription and any drug calculations with another registered health professional (e.g. nurse, doctor,
pharmacist). You should also ask your colleague to inspect the bag for the expiration date, batch number, and other issues.
Record this check on the prescription chart.

Prepare a

™
If not using a pre-
1. Use an aseptic non-touch technique to assemble a 10ml syringe and a drawing up needle, then draw up 10mls of 0.9% saline.
https\://app.geekymedics.com/osce-guides/clinical-procedures/setting-up-iv-fluids/ 1/311/13/24, 7\:27 PM Guide | Setting up IV fluids
2. Remove any air bubbles by gently
3. Dispose of the drawing up needle in the sharps bin and put the syringe back in the original packet to preserve the sterility of
the tip of the syringe.

Prepare the infusion

Wash your hands using alcohol gel. If your hands are visibly soiled, wash them with soap and water.
Don non-sterile gloves.
Prepare the bag of
1. Open the bag of
2. Open your giving set package and close the roller clamp.
3. Snap the square cover o
4. Remove the cap from the spike of your giving set, trying to avoid touching any of the key sites.
5. Stab the spike into the opening created by snapping o
6. Holding the bag upwards, gently squeeze the chamber on your giving set to allow
7. Slowly release the roller clamp and allow
8. Close the roller clamp again before placing the

Final checks

Before proceeding, check the seven rights of medication administration.
1. Right person\: ask the patient to con
prescription. You should use at least two identi
2. Right drug\: check the labelled drug against the prescription and ensure the medication hasn’t expired.
3. Right dose\: check the drug dose against the prescription to ensure it is correct.
4. Right time\: con
if relevant.
5. Right route\: check that the planned route is appropriate for the medication you are administering.
6. Right to refuse\: ensure that valid consent has been gained before medication administration.
7. Right documentation of the prescription and allergies\: ensure that the prescription is valid and check the patient isn’t
allergic to the medication you will administer.

Introduction

Wash your hands using alcohol gel. If your hands are visibly soiled, wash them with soap and water.
Don non-sterile gloves and other PPE if appropriate.
Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role.
Con
Brie
“ T o d a y I n e e d t o g i v e y o u s o m e
h a v e b e e n p r e s c r i b e d b y t h e m e d i c a l t e a m t h r o u g h y o u r c a n n u l a - t h e s m a l l p l a s t i c t u b e i n y o u r a r m . T h i s w i l l i n v o l v e
c o n n e c t i n g y o u t o a b a g o f
d e l i v e r e d a t t h e c o r r e c t r a t e . T h i s s h o u l d n o t b e p a i n f u l b u t y o u m a y e x p e r i e n c e a s t r a n ge s e n s a t i o n a s t h e
i n t o y o u r v e i n .
”
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Check the patient’s understanding of the procedure and explain the indication for the treatment.
Check if the patient has any allergies (e.g. latex).
Gain consent to proceed with intravenous
Position the patient so that they are sitting comfortably.
Ask the patient if they have any pain before continuing with the procedure.

Check and

1. Adequately expose the patient’s cannula for the procedure.
2. Inspect the cannula site for any evidence of leakage, phlebitis or in
3. Clean the needle free port of your cannula with your alcohol wipe.
4. Connect the
The
Observe for signs of swelling around the site or pain during administration and stop if this occurs.

Administer the

1. Hang the primed bag on a drip stand.
2. Remove the cap from the end of your giving set and connect to the needle free port on the end of your cannula.
3. Set the drip rate or set up and use an infusion pump if required.
Speci
4. When the bag is

To complete the procedure...

Explain to the patient that the procedure is now complete and that they should seek review if the cannulation site becomes
painful or in
Thank the patient for their time.
Dispose of your PPE and other clinical waste into an appropriate clinical waste bin.
Wash your hands.
Document the details of the administration of IV
The patient’s details\: full name, date of birth and unique identi
The date and time that administration was performed.
The type, expiry date and batch number of the bag of
Your name, grade and contact details.
Remember to record any input on the patient's
Source\: geekymedics.com
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