What is an IV controller?

A controller is a gravity fed infusion device. It is one of the safest ways of monitoring IV fluid and especially IV drug administration via either a peripheral or central line. The newer volumetric pumps that have the facility to adjust the occlusion pressure are possibly safer and more accurate machines.

What is an IV flow regulator?

Flow Regulator is designed to control the rate of intravenous fluid manually. It ensures the accurate replacement of I.V. fluid from infusion to patients I.V. Catheter.

What is an IV pump used for?

Infusion pumps may be capable of delivering fluids in large or small amounts, and may be used to deliver nutrients or medications – such as insulin or other hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers. Some infusion pumps are designed mainly for stationary use at a patient’s bedside.

How does a dial a flow work?

When you use Dial-A-Flow tubing, you can preset the dial to a specific number that will equate to the milliliter per hour infusion rate. Some infusion flow regulators allow you to preset the infusion rate in drops per minute. Flow regulators can be a great money-saving alternative to infusion pumps.

How do you calculate drip rate?

To calculate the drops per minute, the drop factor is needed. The formula for calculating the IV flow rate (drip rate) is total volume (in mL) divided by time (in min), multiplied by the drop factor (in gtts/mL), which equals the IV flow rate in gtts/min.

Which part of IV set that controls the flow rate?

With gravity pumps, roller clamps are the parts of the IV set that control the flow rate.

What are the types of drips?

The 4 main types of IV fluids include:

  • Normal Saline.
  • Half Normal Saline.
  • Lactated Ringers.
  • Dextrose.

What to do if IV is not dripping?

If fluid is not dripping: Check that all clamps are open. Make sure the medicine bag is higher than your IV line.

What is the correct fluid level for the IV drip chamber?

The drip chamber must always be half full. If the drip chamber is not full enough, then this will allow air to get into the IV tubing, which means that air would get into the patient’s circulatory system, which could be very dangerous, blocking a blood vessel or stopping the heart.