Which action is discouraged when preparing the skin for IV cannula insertion?

• A. Washing hands with antibacterial soap before insertion of cannula
• B. Using chlorhexidine at the selected site of insertion
• C. Shaving the client's skin immediately around the insertion site
• D. Applying skin protectant solutions at the site of insertion

Answer: (C)

Preparing the skin for IV cannula insertion focuses on keeping the skin clean and intact to minimize infection. Antiseptic cleansing at the chosen site and thorough hand hygiene are standard steps to reduce microbial load and prevent contaminations. Shaving the skin immediately around the insertion site is discouraged because a razor can cause microabrasions and tiny cuts that become entry points for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and irritation. If hair needs to be managed, it should be trimmed with electric clippers rather than shaved with a blade to preserve skin integrity. Skin protectant solutions aren’t part of the typical pre-insertion antiseptic process and can interfere with both antisepsis and catheter adhesion, so they aren’t used at the insertion site during prep.