A client is admitted to the hospital for excessive nausea and vomiting, and a blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg. A catheter of which gauge is most appropriate for the nurse to choose for this client's peripheral IV?
a. 24
b. 22
c. 20
d. 18
C
The nurse selects the access device most appropriate for the designated purpose. In this case, because a large amount of fluid will be needed as a result of excessive fluid loss, the appropriate needle is the 20-gauge catheter IV, because this is the most commonly used size in adults and it can be used for all fluids. The 22- and 24-gauge catheters will have a slower rate of flow, which may not be desirable with excessive fluid losses and low blood pressure. The 18-gauge catheter allows rapid flow of IV fluids. However, it requires a large vein and is more prone to irritation to the vein wall.
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