When should you squeeze the IV chamber to maintain flow?

Squeezing the IV chamber during ascent is essential to maintain the flow of intravenous fluids. As a patient ascends in a hyperbaric environment, the pressure around them decreases, which can lead to the expansion of fluids in the IV line. This expansion can create a situation where the fluid does not flow properly due to the lack of pressure exerted by the IV bag. Squeezing the IV chamber allows you to counteract this issue by pushing the fluid closer to the patient's access site, ensuring that the therapy continues uninterrupted and effectively.

Understanding this procedure is crucial in hyperbaric medicine, as maintaining proper fluid flow is vital for patient safety and the effectiveness of treatment. Other scenarios, such as administering medication or responding to a patient's discomfort, do not specifically address the need to maintain flow due to changes in pressure during ascent.