Chapter 8. Intravenous Therapy
8.5 IV Administration Equipment
Intravenous fluids are administered through thin, flexible plastic tubing called an infusion set or primary infusion tubing/administration set (Perry et al., 2018). The infusion tubing/administration set connects to the bag of IV solution. IVs are then run either by gravity or by an intravenous infusion pump, sometimes referred to as electronic infusion device (EID).
Primary IV tubing is used to infuse continuous or intermittent fluids or medication. It consists of the following parts (see Figure 8.15):
- Sterile spike: Connects the tubing into the IV bag.
- Drip chamber: Used to observe flow of IV fluids and / or to calculate drops per minute.
- Backcheck valve: Prevents fluid or medication from travelling up the IV.
- Access ports: Used to infuse secondary medications and give IV push medications.
- Roller clamp: Used to regulate the speed of, or to stop or start, a gravity infusion.
- Extension set: 10 to 20 cm IV tubing attached to IV cannula. Helps to reduce micro-movements at IV insertion sites and protects from BBF exposure during IV tubing changes.
- Slide clamps: Used to stop the infusion. Are needed to open and close IV infusion pump (a.k.a. EID).
The following table is intended to familiarize you with common IV equipment.
Table 8.7 Common IV Equipment |
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| Primary IV tubing | IV tubing/administration set that connects to the bag of IV solution. May or may not contain injection ports. See Table 8.9 Frequency of IV Tubing Changes.
Primary IV tubing is either a macro-drip solution administration set that delivers 10, 15, or 20 gtts/ml, or a micro-drip set that delivers 60 drops/ml. Macro-drip sets are used for routine primary infusions. Micro-drip IV tubing is used mostly in pediatric or neonatal care, when small amounts of fluids are to be administered over a long period of time (Perry et al., 2014). The drop factor can be located on the packaging of the IV tubing. Note: Suppliers provide different kinds of tubing for different purposes. Read the packaging and choose tubing that is appropriate. |
| Secondary tubing | It is shorter in length than primary tubing, with no access ports or backcheck valve. It is connected to a primary line via an access port near the top of the set. It is used to infuse intermittent medications or fluids. Secondary tubing should be changed every 24 hours. |
| IV bags | IV solutions come in a variety of solutions, concentrations, and volumes. They are considered medication, and as such the 7 Rights apply. The prescriber will order the IV solution and rate. The nurse monitors for signs of complications related to the solution and IV equipment. IV bags and tubing should have a sticker or label with the date, time, and initials of the healthcare provider marked on them to be valid. IV bags and/or IV tubing should be changed if:
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| Extension sets | A.k.a. “add on device,” 10 to 20 cm of IV tubing attached to IV cannula. Helps to reduce micro-movement