Type of canula with there colour and uses
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IV cannula types colour coding gauge uses chart
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Here is a complete, well-organized reference for IV cannula types, colors, and uses:
IV Cannula - Colour Coding, Gauge Sizes & Uses
What Is an IV Cannula?
An IV (intravenous) cannula is a hollow plastic tube inserted into a vein to deliver fluids, medications, or blood products. The international colour-coding system (ISO 10555-5) allows healthcare staff to instantly identify the correct size without reading small print - reducing errors and saving time in emergencies.
Key rule: Lower gauge number = larger bore = faster flow rate.
Standard IV Cannula Colour Chart
| Colour | Gauge | Outer Diameter | Length | Flow Rate | Primary Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟠 Orange | 14G | 2.10 mm | 45 mm | ~240-290 mL/min | Major trauma, massive haemorrhage, rapid fluid resuscitation, emergency surgery |
| ⬜ Grey | 16G | 1.70 mm | 45 mm | ~176-180 mL/min | Surgery, ICU, trauma, rapid blood/fluid transfusion |
| ⬜ White | 17G | 1.50 mm | 45 mm | ~130 mL/min | General surgery, blood transfusion (less common) |
| 🟢 Green | 18G | 1.30 mm | 45 mm | ~76-90 mL/min | Blood transfusions, CT contrast injection (PE protocol), rapid fluid administration, general adult use |
| 🩷 Pink | 20G | 1.00 mm | 33 mm | ~54-60 mL/min | Standard IV medications, routine fluid therapy, blood draws, most common general-purpose cannula |
| 🔵 Blue | 22G | 0.85 mm | 25 mm | ~31-36 mL/min | Elderly patients with fragile veins, children, slow IV medications, routine fluids |
| 🟡 Yellow | 24G | 0.70 mm | 19 mm | ~14-20 mL/min | Paediatric patients, neonates, very fragile or small veins, low-volume infusions |
| 🟣 Violet/Purple | 26G | 0.60 mm | 19 mm | ~13 mL/min | Neonates, premature infants, extremely fragile veins - not used in adults |
Types of Cannula
Beyond the standard peripheral IV cannula, other types include:
| Type | Description | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Peripheral IV Cannula | Most common type, inserted into peripheral veins (back of hand, forearm, antecubital) | General drug/fluid delivery |
| Central Venous Catheter (CVC) | Long catheter into large central veins (subclavian, jugular, femoral) | TPN, CVP monitoring, long-term therapy, chemotherapy |
| Arterial Cannula | Inserted into an artery (usually radial) | Continuous blood pressure monitoring, frequent ABG sampling in ICU |
| Nasal Cannula | Soft prongs placed in nostrils (not IV) | Supplemental oxygen delivery |
| Butterfly/Scalp Vein Set | Short needle with plastic wings | Paediatric/neonatal use, single-dose injections, fragile veins |
| Midline Catheter | Intermediate length (8-20 cm), into basilic or cephalic vein | Medium-term IV therapy (1-4 weeks) |
| PICC Line | Peripherally inserted central catheter | Long-term IV therapy, chemotherapy, TPN |
How to Choose the Right Cannula
- Emergency/Trauma - Use 14G (orange) or 16G (grey) for maximum flow
- Blood transfusion - 16G or 18G preferred; avoid 24G as it may lyse red blood cells
- CT with contrast - 18G minimum, preferably in the antecubital fossa
- Routine medications - 20G (pink) is the standard adult choice
- Elderly/fragile veins - 22G (blue) or 24G (yellow)
- Children - 22G (blue) or 24G (yellow) depending on age
- Neonates - 24G (yellow) or 26G (violet)
Parts of an IV Cannula
- Catheter - soft plastic tube that remains in the vein
- Needle stylet - sharp metal needle used for initial insertion, removed afterward
- Flashback chamber - shows blood return confirming correct placement
- Luer lock - connects to IV tubing
- Wings - allow secure taping to skin
- Injection port - allows drug administration without disconnecting the line
- Safety clip - covers needle after removal to prevent needlestick injury
Why Colour Coding Matters
- Instant identification without reading packaging in an emergency
- Reduces wrong-size selection errors
- Universal standard across most countries
- Allows non-verbal communication in multilingual teams
Note: Always follow your institution's protocols. Flow rates can vary slightly by manufacturer. For blood transfusions, confirm minimum gauge requirements per local policy (usually 18G or larger).
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