Which diluents are most frequently utilized by an IV technician?

The most frequently utilized diluents by an IV technician are sterile water and normal saline. Sterile water is used as a diluent because it is free from contaminants, making it suitable for injections and infusions. It helps dissolve medications to be administered intravenously without introducing any harmful substances into the bloodstream.

Normal saline, which is a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride in water, is another common diluent used in IV therapy. It is isotonic and helps maintain fluid balance in the body. Normal saline is especially beneficial for rehydrating patients or diluting medications to be infused, as it closely matches the osmolarity of body fluids, reducing the risk of causing hypertonic or hypotonic reactions.

The combination of sterile water and normal saline ensures that diluents used in IV preparations are safe, effective, and appropriate for various medical scenarios, making it a standard practice for IV technicians.