Medical devices and methods and apparatuses for identifying fluids in a conduit of a device are provided. An exemplary apparatus for identifying an infusate in a conduit of an infusion device includes a transmitter element for transmitting a beam of energy for interaction with the infusate. Further, the apparatus includes a receiver element for receiving a signal from the beam of energy after interaction with the infusate. Also, the apparatus includes an identifier element coupled to the receiver element for analyzing the signal to identify the infusate. The transmitter element and receiver element may form a spectroscopy device and may transmit and receive a beam of infrared light or near infrared light.