In nursing school, one skill you’ll learn that you’ll use repeatedly throughout your career is how to start and insert an IV. An IV is incredibly important when it comes to patient care.
From administering fluids and nutrients to delivering medication, nurses use IVs in many ways – so it’s essential to know how to use one.
Whether you’re a current nursing student ad getting ready to prepare an IV for the first time, or you’re already a nurse and might benefit from a refresher, this five-step guide has something for everyone. Let’s get started.
Check out top hacks for nursing students from superstar Nurse Barbara.
To start an IV, you will need specific, sterile supplies at the ready. Let’s explore what each of these items is and what it is used for:
IV start kit: This kit contains the basic items you will need to insert the actual IV into your patient.
Labeling the IV is critical so other members of your patient’s health care team know who placed the IV, when the IV was placed, and when or if a replacement IV should be administered.
IV needle: The IV needle allows you to access your patient’s vein. You use the needle to place the plastic cannula in the vein and then the needle is removed.
Extension tubing or cap: Once the IV is in place, you will need the tubing to connect the IV to whatever fluid you’re administering to the patient. If you’re placing the IV to draw blood or for an upcoming procedure, place the cap to keep the IV sterile.
Normal saline flush: Finally, you will need a saline flush that generally comes in a pre-filled syringe. The flush is used to ensure the line is clear and in working order before administering fluids.
This is a great time to prepare your patient for insertion (mentally and emotionally). With your IV kit materials ready:
Now you’re ready for proper IV insertion.
Once you have prepared for what you need to insert an IV successfully, you’ll need to figure out where you’d like to insert the IV.
Areas with problems like edema or burns will not work. Look for clear skin, preferably where veins are visible and the IV cannula will fit well.
You can complete the process of starting the IV line after you’ve identified the IV site.
You will need to determine the proper IV gauge first, which will determine how big of a needle and IV catheter you’ll use.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each size – larger IV options can administer the medicine faster but tend to be more challenging to insert, cause more pain for the patient, and increase vein irritation.
There are five main types of gauge sizes you need to know, listed from largest to smallest:
Once you have determined the proper IV size you’ll need, you can prepare your patient:
After preparing your patient, you can begin to prepare the IV.
Prepare your IV while your patient’s arm (or other area of IV insertion) dries from the disinfectant wipe.
Once you have fully prepared your IV and have prepared your patient, the time has come to insert the IV.
With this, you have completed the IV insertion. Now it’s time for the IV line.
Now that you have the IV in place, secure it with the materials you had in your IV kit.
You might use a dressing like Tegaderm or gauze and tape to hold the IV in place. If you have an extension loop, ensure the securement of this, as well. Ensure nothing can easily get caught and pull the IV out.
If the patient does not understand the importance of not pulling out the IV, such as a young child or a confused patient, you can wrap the IV area with Coban. It’s important to leave the cap accessible if you do this.
Knowing how to remove an IV is just as important as starting one – and of course, remember best hygiene practices.
With this knowledge of placing and removing an IV, you’re ready to take on real-life IV insertion.
Nursing is an exciting career that requires mastering essential skills like IV insertion, administering fluids, and collecting blood products. As you build practical experience, it’s crucial to also prepare for key exams like the NCLEX .
For quick IV tips, The IV Guy offers expert advice to help sharpen your technique. And when it comes to fully preparing for nursing school and exams, SimpleNursing has you covered with premium study resources designed to boost your confidence and success.
Prepare smarter with SimpleNursing—your go-to for passing exams and mastering nursing essentials .
Passing the NCLEX is the final obstacle standing between you and your dream of becoming…
Looking for nursing notes examples to model your own charting on? You're in the right…
Let's make this simple. A nursing diagnosis is one of the most-assigned (and most-confusing) parts…
A nursing student can spend hours reading a chapter and still struggle to remember the…
Education: Associate Degree in Nursing, Cerritos Nursing School Master of Science in Nursing, Capella University | Specialization: Nursing Education