IV tubing, or infusion sets, are designed for the controlled administration of fluids and medications. They are typically made of soft, kink-resistant medical-grade PVC (often DEHP-free) and are sterile, non-toxic, and pyrogen-free.
Using IV tubing involves hand hygiene, spiking the bag, priming (filling the drip chamber and flushing air out), connecting to the patient's line (scrubbing the hub!), and setting the flow rate using the roller clamp or pump, always keeping the bag above the patient and ensuring sterility to prevent infection and errors. Key steps include thorough handwashing, spiking the bag, filling the drip chamber halfway, opening the roller clamp to remove all air, connecting securely, and checking for correct drip rate and site condition.
