Intravenous means ‘into the vein’, and an intravenous infusion is a method of administering fluids, medication, or nutrients directly into a patient’s bloodstream. The video demonstrates how it works.

Start with a technique called WIPER:

• Wash hands
• Introduce yourself
• Permission and pain – seek their permission
• Expose their arm
• Reposition the patient

Use the five rights by ensuring you have the right patient, drug, dosage, route, and time.

The equipment includes a plastic tray, the correct bag of fluid, an administration set, saline flush, alcohol wipes, a bin, medical gloves, and hand sanitizer.

Hang the bag on the stand and twist off the cap. The fluid administration set will have a tube and ensure both ends remain sterile.

Video Source

Clamp it and remove the cap from the spike. Push the spike into the port. Open the roller clamp and let the fluid pass through the tube. Ensure air bubbles are not infused into the patient. Close the clamp.

Clean the cap on the cannula with a wipe. Open the clamp and ensure there are no air bubbles in the syringe. Flush the cannula with the saline flush and close the clamp. Remove the cap from the administration tube and connect it to the cannula. Open the clamp to let the fluids infuse and set the drip according to the prescription.

Sign the chart and make a note of the procedure. Thank the patient and dispose of the waste.

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