Clinical Skills: IV Fluids

• Check patient has cannula in situ
• Reposition the arm to adequately expose the cannula
  • Is the cannula in date? (ideally less than 3 days, maximum 5 days if no signs of complications)
  • Is the port site clean and the skin non-erythematous and not swollen?
• Check the prescription:
  • Which fluid to be given
  • Duration to give it over
  • Any additional drugs to put in fluid bag
  • That the fluid hasn't already been given
  • That the prescription has been signed

• Clean an equipment tray with alcohol wipe (inside first, then outside), then add:
  • Gloves
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Giving set
  • Fluid prescribed
    • Check expiry date and type of fluid with a member of staff
    • Check the bag looks as though it has not been damaged and the fluid inside is clear with no residual material within it
• Don gloves
• Set up equipment near a sink
  • Ensure the giving set tube is closed before continuing
  • Insert giving set needle into fluid bag (after removing their caps)
  • Fill the giving set chamber to half full
  • Open the giving set tap, run the fluid along the line to the tip of the giving set tube and then close the tap. Ensure no bubbles in the line

• Return to the patient and recheck name with patient, label and drug chart
• Remove gloves, wash hands and don a new pair of gloves
• Clean cannula port site with alcohol wipe
• Insert the giving set tip into the cannula port
• Squeeze the giving set chamber until it is half-filled with fluid, then set to whatever rate is prescribed. To do this, you must calculate the 'drip rate per minute':
  • Drip rate per minute = amount of fluid (L) / hours it should be given over X 20
  • Count the drops over a minute to make sure that this number is the same as the one you calculated, so you know you are administering the fluid over the correct duration
• Thank the patient, tidy up your equipment and wash your hands


Extras:
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written by: celine_lakra,
first posted on: 1/03/12, 17:00