After removing an IV line, what should the nurse obtain to apply pressure to the site?

After removing an IV line, it's essential to apply pressure to the site to prevent bleeding and facilitate the formation of a clot. Sterile 2 × 2 gauze is the most appropriate choice because it maintains a clean environment and reduces the risk of introducing bacteria into the site, which could lead to infection.

Using sterile gauze ensures that the area remains uncontaminated during the critical period of hemostasis. The gauze can effectively absorb any blood and provides adequate pressure over the puncture site.

While alcohol swabs are used primarily for disinfection before procedures, they do not have the properties necessary for applying pressure effectively. Bandaids, though they might seem sufficient, typically are not designed for immediate post-IV care and may not provide adequate pressure or sterility. Non-sterile cloth is less ideal as it lacks the necessary sterility, increasing the risk of infection at the site of removal. Therefore, the sterile 2 × 2 gauze is the appropriate choice for this procedure.