d. Insert Catheter/Needle Into Saline Lock.
(1) Remove the 18-gauge catheter/needle unit from its packaging and
discard the packaging.
(2)
Hold the catheter/needle unit in your dominant hand.
(3) Stabilize the saline lock adapter with the thumb and forefinger of your
non-dominant hand.
The pressure is applied on top of the Tegaderm dressing.
NOTE:
(4) Insert the catheter/needle through the Tegaderm dressing and saline
lock adapter until it rests at the hub of the catheter.
(5) Remove your non-dominant hand from the saline lock, place a finger or
thumb of the non-dominant hand over the vein just beyond the catheter tip, and apply
pressure to the vein.
(6)
Retract the needle from the catheter/needle unit and discard the needle.
NOTE:
Make sure that the catheter of the catheter/needle unit stays in place.
NOTE:
Place the needle in a safe location where you or the casualty will not be
accidentally stuck. After the procedure is completed, dispose of the needle
properly.
e. Connect Intervenous to Catheter.
(1) Grasp the end of the IV tubing with your dominant hand and remove the
adapter from the IV tubing.
(2) Grasp the hub of the catheter that is outside the Tegaderm dressing
with the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand.
(3)
Insert the end of the tubing into the hub of the catheter.
f. Adjust Intervenous Flow. Loosen the clamp on the IV tubing to allow the IV
solution to flow. Fluid will also begin to flow (drip) into the drip chamber. Normally, the
clamp should be adjusted so the IV tubing is clamped (constricted) about half way. The
fluid should be flowing fast enough that you can barely count the individual drops of
fluid.
IS0871
6-13