Preparation:

Collect all equipment – I.V. stand, I.V. fluid bottle, I.V. set, scalp vein needle, spirit swab and adhesive paster strips.

Open the I.V. set, close its regulating clamp. Clean the inlet of the I.V. bottle or bag with spirit swab, and insert the spiked proximal end of the infusion set fully into the inlet.

Now hang the I.V. bottle upside down to the I.V. stand, compress & release the drip chamber so that it fills halfway. Now open th regulating clamp & let the fluid run to fill the entire tube. Close the regulating clamp agians.

Now puncture the vein with the scalp vein needle as described in previous chapter, and when the needle has entered the vein:

-          release the tourniquet (or compressing hand)

-          connect the I.V. set to the scalp vein needle

-          open the regulating clamp & adjust flow to 20 drops/minute

-          fix the scalp vein needle securely with 3 to 4 adhesive strips.

When I.V. fluids are administered, avoid puncturing a vein over a joint, and if joint unavoidable instruct the patient to not to move the joint or splint the joint with a wooden splint.

Rapid administration of I.V. Fluids:

When a patient is in state of shock due to dehydration, hemorrhage, anaphylaxis etc.  I.V. fluids should be administered very fast. The techniques for pushing I.V. fluids are describe here.

-          the most important point is to insert the largest possible needle. No.18 is ideal, but if veins are collapsed, at least No.20 needle should be used,

Method -1

Use a plastic I.V. bottle without a needle for letting in air

Compress th platic bottle with both hands to push the fluid very rapidly.

When you release th compression intermittently, release the pressure slowly to avoid filling of the chamber.

Method -2

Attach a 3-way between the scalp vein needle and I.V. set take a 20cc syringe and push fluids Fill the syringe form the bottle, turn the knob of the 3 way thr’ 180 ° and push the fluid into scalp vein wit full force.