IV Troubleshooting Tool

Remove
tourniquet

• Roll up to open
Check the
Check along the tubing

roller clamp

Check • Untangle and ensure it is not pinched or stepped on

tubing for
kinks

• Use a syringe at a medication port to extract air

Check • Or disconnect the tubing and open the roller clamp to allow fluid to fill the tubing
tubing for
air

• If there is too much fluid, tip the fluid bag upside down
Check the bag/chamber

Check the • Squeeze the drip chamber a few times to get flud back to the bag, then rehang.
drip • Keep the bag upright and squeeze the drip chamber a few times if there is not enough fluid in the drip chamber.
chamber

• Is there enough solution left in the bag?

Check the
fluid level

• Hang the bag higher to use gravity as an advantage

Check the
bag position
Check in with the client

• Move the client's extremity near the catheter to see if it effects flow
Check the • If so, use an arm board to immobilize the extremity
client's
position

Lower the
• If there is blood return, the catheter is in the right place. Check for other issues again.
bag below • If there is no blood return, check for other symptoms.
insertion
site

Swelling, pain, No symptoms

coolness, or firmness,
pallor, or redness,
redness at the swelling, pain
site

• The catheter has infiltrated. • The catheter or vein has clotted.

• D/C and place another IV. • D/C and place another IV.
• Use a warm compress at the
affected site.