How should you secure an intravenous line during air transport to prevent kinking or displacement?

How should you secure an intravenous line during air transport to prevent kinking or displacement?

• A. Use a long, loose line and keep it near the bed.
• B. Use a short IV line routed away from movement, secured with tape or tubing holders, and clamp during turbulence.
• C. Leave it unsecured; patients move freely.
• D. Coil the line around the IV bag to keep tension.

Answer: (B)

During air transport, the IV line must be kept as controlled and short as possible, with a path that avoids movement and snag points. A short line that is routed away from the patient’s movements reduces the chance of kinks and tension at the catheter or infusion site. Secure the line firmly with tape or tubing holders to the patient’s limb or a stable surface so it can’t be pulled or tugged loose. Do not let slack accumulate or coil the line around the IV bag, which can create tension and occlusion. In turbulent conditions, briefly clamping the line helps prevent sudden movement or backflow that could displace the catheter or cause infusion disruption; unclamp only when the flight conditions are stable and the line remains secured. This approach minimizes the risk of occlusion, dislodgement, or accidental removal while the patient is in flight.

During air transport, the IV line must be kept as controlled and short as possible, with a path that avoids movement and snag points. A short line that is routed away from the patient’s movements reduces the chance of kinks and tension at the catheter or infusion site. Secure the line firmly with tape or tubing holders to the patient’s limb or a stable surface so it can’t be pulled or tugged loose. Do not let slack accumulate or coil the line around the IV bag, which can create tension and occlusion. In turbulent conditions, briefly clamping the line helps prevent sudden movement or backflow that could displace the catheter or cause infusion disruption; unclamp only when the flight conditions are stable and the line remains secured. This approach minimizes the risk of occlusion, dislodgement, or accidental removal while the patient is in flight.