1. Checks selected IV fluid for: - Proper Fluid - Clarity
2. Selects appropriate catheter
3. Selects proper administration set
4. Connects IV tubing to the IV bag
5. Prepares administration set (fills drip chamber and flushes tubing)
6. Cuts or tears tape (at any time before venipuncture)
7. Takes/body substance isolation precautions (prior to venipuncture)
8. - Applies tourniquet - Palpates suitable vein - Cleanses site appropriately
9. - Performs venipuncture - Inserts stylette - Notes flashback - Occludes vein proximal to catheter - Removes stylette - Connects IV tubing to catheter
10. Disposes of needle in proper container
11. Releases tourniquet
12. Set IV to proper drip rate
13. Secures catheter (tapes securely )
14. Adjust flow rate as appropriate
15. Formula: IV Flow Rate (Volume (mL) / Time (min)) x Drop Factor (gtts/mL) = Y(Flow Rate in gtts/min)
16. Example: Calculate the IV flow rate for 1200 mL of NS to be infused in 6 hours. The infusion set is calibrated for a drop factor of 15 gtts/mL.
17. (Volume (mL) / Time (min)) x Drop Factor (gtts/mL) = Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)
18. Convert 6 hours to minutes. - min ← hr ( x by 60 ) - 6 hr x 60 = 360 min (1200 mL / 360 min) x 15 gtts/mL = 50 gtts/min