Saturday, October 24, 2009

For what condition could a short peripheral catheter (IV) be left in place for longer than the CDC recommends?

CDC says 72 hours (according to my book at least). The question on my homework says there's some condition what could make it okay to leave it in place longer. It also wants me to list what is required of the nurse caring for a patient that has a catheter (IV) in place longer than CDC recommendations.
Answer:
The general guideline is 72 hours and like all guidlines it is not set in stone. If for instance you knew this patient was not going to need it for more than one more day and it looked perfectly good, no infection, good flow through it then you can elect to leave it another day. Yes, if you know it's going to be another few days then go ahead and change it. The big thing the nurse is watching for are any signs of infection, clotting of the catheter and not flowing well.
I wouldn't know about the diseases that would make it OK to leave it in longer - I've always learned that if an IV was necessary for longer than 72 hours the patient should get a new one. About the caring for the nurse caring: clean it daily with, change the bandages that keeps it in place, and observe the skin around it for signs of infection (redness, is the skin warm or tender?).
If that iv went into the last good vein, you'd better not touch it until you have a new iv in place.The patient's doctor would need to weigh the risks of a central line in a patient with impossible iv access against the risk of leaving the iv where it is.Sorry, can't help you much with the nursing side. Just don't send a patient to my OR without an iv because the 72 hours was up. I'm serious.
If it's impossible to get another vein (bad veins), the person is going home or getting a central line soon, and IV access is absolutely needed.You would have to document who said it was ok and why.

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