The University of Virginia Air Vents on IV Tubing are used for inflating from a glass bottle.

Specializes in cancer care.Has been in the business for 4 years.

What is the purpose of using air vents on IV tubing other than for glass bottles?Should they be open or closed?They are on the primary and secondary sets.

Specializes in emergency and long term care.I have 1 years of experience.

The only time you need to open the vent is when the object you spiking cannot collapse.It could be plastic, glass or metal.

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Specializes in home health care.Has experience for 32 years.

If you need an air source to move the IV fluid, open the vent.If you don't need an air source and open the vent, the IVFs will continue to suck in air and then stop and you will see the chamber sucking in tubing.When nurses forget to vent Albumin and Lipids, this happens.Keep the vent closed if you don't need it.If the air vent is open and you see the tubing and/or dip chamber sucking in, it's not working very well.This can happen if the set has been primed wrong.