Why is regular flushing of a peripheral IV with saline important?

• A. To maintain catheter patency, prevent occlusion, and ensure continuous delivery of medications.
• B. To minimize patient movement.
• C. To shorten IV therapy.
• D. To avoid any maintenance.

Answer: (B)

Regular saline flushing keeps the IV catheter open and reliable. By pushing saline through before and after medications, you clear any residual blood, meds, or small clots that can start to form inside the lumen. This helps prevent occlusion so the line remains patent and the prescribed doses actually reach the patient. Flushing also lets you detect problems early—if you have trouble flushing, there may be an occlusion, kink, or infiltration that needs attention. This is a routine maintenance task aimed at preserving the line’s function for the full course of therapy, not about reducing movement, shortening therapy, or avoiding maintenance.