Low Sorb Tubing Explained: IV Medications & Nursing Practice

Understanding Low Sorb Tubing

• 💡 Low sorb tubing is designed with special materials to minimize medication absorption, ensuring patients receive their full prescribed dose.
• ⚠️ Standard IV tubing, often made of PVC, can absorb certain medications, leading to a reduced dose reaching the patient.
• 🔬 Low absorbing tubing typically uses materials like polyethylene or polypropylene to reduce drug loss.

Medications Requiring Low Sorb Tubing

• 💊 Nitroglycerin is a common medication that can bind significantly to PVC tubing, making low sorb tubing essential for accurate dosing.
• 💉 Insulin infusions require special priming of standard tubing with a significant amount of insulin to saturate binding sites, preventing inconsistent delivery if low sorb tubing is not used.
• ☣️ Chemotherapy drugs, being hazardous, often require non-PVC or low sorb tubing to prevent drug loss and protect patients, following strict facility protocols.

Special Considerations for Pediatrics

• 👶 Pediatric patients are particularly sensitive to drug loss due to smaller overall doses.
• ⚠️ Even a small amount of medication absorbed by tubing can represent a significant underdose for a child, making low sorb tubing more common in pediatric care.

Best Practices for Tubing Use

• 📌 Always check your facility's policy or IV medication reference to determine if low sorb tubing is needed.
• 🏷️ Label the tubing clearly when using low sorb tubing.
• 🔍 Know which tubing your facility designates as low sorb and how to request it from central supply to ensure correct usage.