Uses and sizes of IV cannula
iv cannula sizes and uses:Intravenous (IV) cannulas also referred as IV catheters.It becomes an essential and necessary medical tool in hospitals. These cannulas is used to install fluids, medications, blood products, or nutrients directly into the veins of the patient used very commonly by the nursing staff. It varies in size and choosing the correct one assures the patient safety and also it requires an proper training in installing this catheter which should be sterile. Let us discuss in detail about its various sizes, usage and factors in selecting an proper and appropriate IV Cannula in this blog.
What is an IV Cannula?
An IV cannula is a thin, flexible plastic tube with a needle that guides the tube into the vein to facilitate the supply of various blood products, medications and nutritional support to the patient inserted directly into a vein that reaches the bloodstream instantly and provides an fast treatment to the patient.. It is also used for drawing blood samples. The size of an IV cannula is indicated by its gauge (G), which inversely relates to its diameter. A smaller gauge number corresponds to a larger diameter, and vice versa.
iv cannula sizes and uses
The selection of IV Cannula has a specific purpose and depends on various factors considering the each individual patient conditions like age factor, condition of vein whether it is thin or thick and also the type of treatment the person receives.Let us explore below the commonly used IV cannula sizes, their color codes, and their applications:
1. 14G (Orange)
It comes with a Colour Code of Orange with a size of 2.1 mm and 270 mL/min Flow Rate
Ideally used for old age patients in the most critical scenaries with its largest and aggressive cannula size with numerous application..
Applications:
- Rapid infusion and replacement of large volumes of fluids or blood
- Emergency blood transfusion
- Trauma patient scenaries
- High-pressure fluid administration
- Various critical surgeries
2. 16G (Grey)
It comes with a Colour Code of Grey with a size of 1.7 mm and 180 mL/min Flow Rate
Frequently used in emergency departments and operating rooms.
Applications:
- Emergency situations
- Blood transfusions
- Rapid fluid resuscitation
3. 18G (Green)
It comes with an colour code of Green with a size of 1.3 mm and 90 mL/min Flow Rate
Ideal for general-purpose use in elderly patients.
Used in contrast studies to administer dyes
Applications:
- Blood transfusions
- IV fluid replacement therapy
- Pre-surgical procedures
- IV nutritional support
- Harvesting of stem cell therapy
4. 20G (Pink)
It comes with a Colour Code of pink with a size of 1.0 mm and 60 mL/min Flow Rate
Widely used Cannula in hospitals for stable adult patients.
Applications:
- Routine IV therapy (fluids, medications)
- Non-emergency blood transfusions, IV fluids
- Diagnostic procedures
- Widely used in hospitals for stable adult patients.
5. 22G (Blue)
It comes with an colour code of Blue with a size of 0.8 mm and 36 mL/min Flow Rate
Minimally invasive and less painful for patients and suitable for slow speed infusion.
Applications:
- Ease of use in Pediatric and geriatric patients
- Administration of medications or fluids
- Used in oncology patients
- Veins with smaller size
- Minimally invasive and less painful for patients.
- Suitable for slow speed infusion.
6. 24G (Yellow)
It comes with an Colour Code of Yellow with a size of 0.6 mm and 20 mL/min Flow Rate
Ideally used for small or delicate veins.
Applications:
- Neonates and infants
- Delicate, Fragile veins in elderly patients and childrens
- Low-flow therapies
- Ideally used for small or delicate veins.
7. 26G (Violet)
It comes with an Colour Code of Violet with an size of 0.4 mm and 13 mL/min Flow Rate
It is used in highly specialized cases available in smallest size.
Applications:
Premature babies and very small infants
Extremely fragile and delicate veins
IV Cannula Size Factors :
IV Cannula size selection is crucial and important for the safety and ease of patient also for the beneficial treatment. It should be sterile and user friendly. Below are the some factors to be consider:
1. Objective of the IV Line
Large-gauge cannulas (14G–18G) are required for rapid fluid resuscitation or blood transfusions.
Smaller-gauge cannulas (20G–26G) are preferred for medication administration to the patients with sensitive veins.
2. Patient Age and Vein Health
Small size cannulas are required for Pediatric and geriatric patients who often have smaller veins. The sizes are 22G, 24G, or 26G.
Healthy adult patients with Good veins can go for large Cannulas.
3. Required Flow Rate
In Emergency and trauma situations Larger cannulas are required to allow for higher flow rates.
With low flow requirements Smaller cannulas suffice for routine therapies.
4. Duration of Therapy
larger cannulas are tolerable for most of the patients only for short term use.
smaller cannulas are more comfortable for prolonged treatments, and reduce the risk of vein irritation.
5. Patient Ease
During insertion Smaller cannulas cause less discomfort and are less likely to irritate veins.
Contraindication:
It is contraindicated at the site of injury, infection and inflamation.
Tips for Successful IV Cannulation insertion
Vein Assess: Choose a right vein that is visible, palpable, and most important suitable for the desired therapy.
Prepare the Patient: Calm the patient and explain the need of procedure inorder to reduce the anxiety and fears concerning the therapy.
Use Proper Technique: Follow standard protocols and maintain aseptic conditions and to minimize the risk of infection.
Monitor the Site: Monitor regularly for signs of infection, inflammation, injury etc at IV site.
Conclusion
Knowledge of IV cannulas and its proper Understanding is very important for healthcare providers to provide safe and effective treatments.An expert handling is needed to avoid complications from cannulation.The right and appropriate choice of cannula size can significantly impact patient ease, therapy efficiency, and clinical outcome, thereby selecting the right one is vital. Administering correctly and efficiently in a right way especially to elderly patients and childrens by managing the condition with less pain as cannulation can be painful. The small cap on the outside of the cannula should always remain closed to avoid infection and to select the right vein Use the tourniquet about 5-10 cm above the cannulation site.It should always be washed with normal saline before and after the insertion of injection. It is advisable to change the cannula for every 72 hrs to avoid the chances of infection and irritation. Wash your hands, and sanitize your skin with an alcohol-based solution and use disposable sterile gloves and the patients skin should be wash and clean with 70% alcohol solution before cannula insertion. As we discussed above various factors like different age groups, type of treatment and vein health condition are key criteria of selecting the right cannula size for effective treatment.
Medically Reviewed
This blog is thoroughly reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional to make sure the accuracy and reliability of the information which is provided and, This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.
Note : image used in this blog is generated with the help of openAI
