MDWF 1040

IV SKILLS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Misty Williams
IV Troubleshooting Guide

The IV is not
Flowing

Equipment Client

Is the insertion site Yes Use a padded arm

Is the roller No Open the roller near a joint? Is client board to support the
clamp open? clamp position occluding joint to not occlude
the catheter? the catheter

Yes No
Either fill the chamber to Fold a gauze pad
Is the drip Does changing the
No 1/2 full or invert the bag Yes underneath the
angle of the catheter
chamber half and squeeze the solu-
allow the solution to
cathter and tape in
filled? tion back into the bag place to adjust the
until chamber is 1/2 full flow?
angle

Yes No

Is the tubing Yes Is the insertion site Yes The IV is infiltrated,

Striaghten or
kinked or cold, red, swollen? discontinue and start
un-pinch tubing Does Client c/o pain? a new IV
pinched?

No No

Raise the Is there bleeding or is Yes The catheter has

Is the solution bag No there a hematoma gone through the
high enough above solution bag forming athe insertion vein. Discontinue
the insertion site? higher. site? and begin a new IV

Yes No

No Yes
Do appropriate
Is the IV flowing? Check client side Is the IV flowing?
charting
No
Yes No
If the IV is still The catheter is
Do appropriate not flowing, occluded by a blood
charting check equipment clot. Discontue IV,
side again and start a new one