When should a peripheral IV line dressing be changed?

The appropriate time to change a peripheral IV line dressing is when blood is visible underneath the dressing due to catheter movement. This scenario indicates that there may be a risk of contamination or infection, as blood should not be present outside of the catheter or on the dressing. The presence of blood suggests that the integrity of the insertion site may have been compromised, necessitating an assessment for potential complications and the need for a clean dressing to maintain site sterility.

In circumstances where the dressing remains intact and dry, there is no need to change it, as this indicates that the site is well-protected. A lack of bathing over the last 48 hours does not directly warrant a dressing change unless other signs of infection or problems are present. Additionally, a dressing that has been applied within the last 24 hours generally does not require changing unless there are specific concerns related to the integrity of the site or dressing. Thus, the presence of blood is a clear and immediate indication for a dressing change to ensure patient safety and reduce infection risks.