Setting up an IV bag looks complicated the first time, but it comes down to a few repeatable steps: check the bag, spike it, prime the tubing so there is no air in the line, then connect and set the drip rate. This guide walks through each step in plain language.
It covers setting up the bag and tubing and connecting it to an IV line that is already in place. It does not cover placing an IV catheter, which should be learned hands-on from a nurse, physician or other trained clinician. Always follow the fluid type, volume and rate your clinician or veterinarian has given you.
What You'll Need
- A bag of IV fluid. Usually normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or Lactated Ringer's. Not sure which? See our guide to normal saline vs. Lactated Ringer's.
- IV tubing (an administration set). Use a new, sterile set for each new setup.
- A saline flush syringe to check that the IV line is open before connecting.
- Alcohol pads or disinfecting caps for cleaning the connection point.
- Somewhere to hang the bag: an IV pole, a sturdy hook, a coat hanger over a door or a curtain rod, about 3 feet above the IV site.
- Clean gloves, tape and a marker for labeling the bag.
Starting from scratch? Our complete IV fluid kit includes a saline bag, IV tubing, two shielded catheters, a saline flush and a start kit with tape, dressing, tourniquet and prep applicator.
Before You Start: Check the Bag
Take 30 seconds to inspect the fluid before you open anything. Do not use a bag that fails any of these checks.
- Right fluid, right size. Read the label and confirm it matches what you were told to use.
- In date. Check the expiration printed on the bag.
- Clear. The fluid should be completely clear and colorless, with no cloudiness, particles or discoloration.
- No leaks. Remove the outer overwrap (a little moisture inside the overwrap is normal), then firmly squeeze the bag. No fluid should escape.
- Room temperature. Cold fluid is uncomfortable. If needed, let the bag sit out or place it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes. Never microwave an IV bag; it heats unevenly and can create dangerous hot spots.
Know Your IV Tubing
An IV administration set has five parts worth knowing before you begin:
- Spike: the pointed end, under a protective cap, that pushes into the bag's port.
- Drip chamber: the clear chamber below the spike where you can see and count drops.
- Roller clamp: the wheel you roll to stop, start and adjust the flow.
- Injection ports: Y-shaped ports along the tubing for flushing or adding medications.
- Connector: the Luer lock tip at the end, under a cap, that connects to the IV line.
Every set has a drop factor printed on the package: the number of drops that equal 1 mL. Our Baxter administration set is 10 drops/mL. You need this number to set the flow rate.
Step by Step: Setting Up the Bag and Tubing
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and put on clean gloves. Work on a clean, dry surface.
- Close the roller clamp on the tubing by rolling the wheel down. Starting with the clamp closed keeps fluid from running out when you spike the bag.
- Open the bag's port. Remove the protective cover or pull tab from the outlet port at the bottom of the bag. Do not touch the opening.
- Uncap the spike without touching the tip. If the spike or the port touches anything, start over with a new set.
- Spike the bag. Hold the port steady and push the spike in with a firm twisting motion until it is fully seated. Push straight in so the spike does not puncture the side of the port.
- Hang the bag from your pole or hook.
- Fill the drip chamber. Squeeze and release the drip chamber until it is about one-third to one-half full. Too little and air can get into the tubing; too full and you can't count drops.
- Prime the tubing. Keep the cap on the far end of the tubing (it is vented to let air out). Slowly open the roller clamp and let fluid run down the tubing until it reaches the end and all the air is gone. When fluid reaches the Y-ports, turn each port upside down and tap it so trapped air rises out.
- Clear any bubbles. Close the clamp and look along the whole length of the tubing. Flick small bubbles upward toward the drip chamber with your finger. If a section of air won't move, open the clamp briefly to run a little more fluid through.
- Label the bag with the date and the time you spiked it.
Connecting to the IV Line
- Clean the connection point. Scrub the hub of the IV catheter or extension set with an alcohol pad for 15 seconds and let it air dry, or remove the disinfecting cap that was on it.
- Flush the line with a saline flush syringe as you were instructed. It should push easily. Stop if you feel resistance, or if the site becomes painful, swollen or cool, and contact your clinician. Do not force a flush.
- Connect the tubing. Remove the cap from the end of the tubing and twist the Luer lock onto the hub until snug. Avoid touching either tip.
- Open the roller clamp and confirm drops are falling in the drip chamber.
- Set the rate using the formula below, then secure the tubing with tape so it can't be pulled.
How to Set the Drip Rate
Most home setups use gravity, so you control the rate by counting drops in the drip chamber and adjusting the roller clamp.
Drops per minute = (mL per hour × drop factor) ÷ 60
With a 10 drops/mL set, that simplifies to mL per hour ÷ 6. Common examples for a 1000 mL bag:
| Run 1000 mL over | mL per hour | Drops per minute (10 drops/mL set) | Roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1000 | 167 | almost 3 drops per second |
| 2 hours | 500 | 83 | about 4 drops every 3 seconds |
| 4 hours | 250 | 42 | about 2 drops every 3 seconds |
| 8 hours | 125 | 21 | about 1 drop every 3 seconds |
Count the drops for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get drops per minute. Adjust the roller clamp and recount until you hit your target. Re-check the rate any time you move the bag, change position or bend the arm, since height and position change the flow. Use the rate your clinician gave you; these examples are not a recommendation.
Rate-sensitive fluids or medications should run on an infusion pump rather than gravity. Our administration set is compatible with infusion pumps.
While the Fluid Runs: What to Watch For
Check the IV site and the drip chamber regularly. Close the roller clamp and contact your clinician if you notice:
- Swelling, puffiness, coolness or pain around the IV site (the fluid may be going into the tissue instead of the vein)
- Redness, warmth or a red streak along the vein
- Fluid leaking around the site or from a connection
- The drip stopping even with the clamp open
- Fever or chills
Call 911 for shortness of breath, chest pain, a new cough, sudden swelling of the face or throat, or confusion.
Finishing Up
- Close the roller clamp once the prescribed amount has run in, before the bag and drip chamber run completely dry.
- Disconnect the tubing from the hub.
- Flush the line if instructed, and cap the hub with a new disinfecting cap.
- Discard the used tubing and any fluid left in a spiked bag. Do not save an opened bag for another day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spiking with the clamp open, which sends fluid onto the floor and air into the line.
- Overfilling the drip chamber, which makes drops impossible to count.
- Skipping the bubble check on the Y-ports, where air likes to hide.
- Touching the spike or connector tips, which breaks sterility. When in doubt, use a new set.
- Setting the rate once and walking away. Gravity drips drift as the bag empties and as position changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription to buy IV fluids and tubing?
Not from us. IV Fluid Supply sells sterile Baxter IV fluid bags, IV tubing and supplies with no prescription required, and every order ships free.
How high should I hang the bag?
About 3 feet above the IV site is a good starting point. Higher speeds up the flow and lower slows it, so recount the drip rate whenever you change the height.
Is a small air bubble in the tubing dangerous?
Tiny bubbles are common and are best flicked out before connecting. Larger columns of air should always be cleared. If you see a large amount of air in the line after connecting, close the clamp and contact your clinician.
Can I reuse IV tubing?
No. Use a new sterile administration set for each new setup.
How long does a 1000 mL bag take?
It depends entirely on the rate you set. At 250 mL per hour, a 1000 mL bag takes about 4 hours. See the table above.
Is this the same as giving subcutaneous fluids to a pet?
The bag and tubing setup is almost identical, but sub-Q fluids go under the skin through a needle rather than into a vein. See our guide to subcutaneous fluids for cats at home.
Get Everything in One Box
Our complete IV fluid kit has every piece covered in this guide: a sealed Baxter saline bag, Baxter IV tubing, two BD shielded catheters, a saline flush and a Cardinal Health start kit. No prescription required, and shipping is always free.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical or veterinary advice. IV therapy carries real risks. Use IV supplies only with proper training, and follow the instructions of your physician, nurse or veterinarian for the fluid type, volume and rate.