How To Set up an IV Bag

An IV may be used to provide fluids to a patient, including blood, sterile pH-balanced “water,” or medication that must be diluted in sterile fluids before it can be administered. Every medical professional should be able to insert an IV with ease.

When a “skilled nursing visit” is necessary as part of Home Care, a physician’s order is required before IV administration may be administered. Only a physician or a resident may legally administer an IV, and an R.N. is the only medical staff member who can legally prepare and administer an IV in the US.

So, keep on reading to learn how to set up an IV bag.

How to Set up an IV Bag 101: Locate Your IV Stand

When preparing and administering an IV, you’ll need a long pole with a coat hanger-like device as your IV stand. In an emergency, if you cannot locate an IV stand, you will need to attach the bag to something above the patient’s head so that gravity aids the liquid’s descent into the vein.

Nowadays, most hospitals have IV devices that come with a pole and hanger as standard equipment.

Sanitize and Wash Your Hands

Lather your hands with soap and water before turning on the faucet. Work your way backward, starting with your palms.

Clean the spaces between your fingertips as well. Next, wash your hands from your fingertips all the way up to your wrists. Pat your hands dry with a clean paper towel after thoroughly rinsing them. Until you put on gloves, follow the “clean” protocols.

Rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no water supply.

Double-Check the Doctor’s Instructions

Make sure you have the proper IV bags, including the right volume of fluid and the right kind.

Any additional supplies such as antiseptic wipes, gauze, or tape are included with the IV administration package, which includes a tourniquet and IV tubing.

Using the wrong IV bag may lead to potentially fatal consequences, such as an allergic reaction. Additionally, the Nurse Practice Act prohibits administering fluids or IV drugs in the wrong form. R.N.s may, at the very least, be verified for errors and documented.

Make a Note of the Bag Size You Need

When it comes to hospital IV bags, the most common size is 1,000 cubic centimeters (cc). IVs exist in many sizes, from 1,000 to 500 to 250 and 100 cc to “IV piggyback” (IVPB) for administering IV drugs, whereas a continuous bigger IV bag is known as the main IV.

A peripheral IV is one that is connected to a peripheral vein, while a central IV is one that is linked to a central port. You might also want to try out a banana bag IV for a more streamlined process.

Identify the Required Fluid

Dextrose, saline (Saline), normal saline (NS), potassium chloride, or Ringers Lactate/Lactated Ringers, are some of the most prevalent orders, as is water W (sterile water).

Make sure you have the right one on hand.

Setting up an IV Bag: Explained

If you’re new to learning how to set up an IV bag the process can seem a bit complicated at first. But, we hope that our guide on the basics to set up an IV bag has been helpful.

Next step, you’ll want to check out our medical section for more practical tips and advice.