A-Line Question

Hi,

I am not a critical care RN , so I have a question about arterial lines. Have you ever used anything but normal saline (and ns+heparin) to infuse in or flush with? What about D5W? If a patient has a high sodium would not infusing ns into an art line really affect their sodium level?

thank you

We always use normal saline. You never infuse anything through an arterial line - the pressurized fluid is simply to keep the line patent, and only infuses approx 3ml/hr. You wouldn't want to use dextrose, especially if you are drawing labs from the arterial line...could affect your sample. Also, dextrose can be a more friendly breeding ground for bacteria.

Even if their serum sodium is particularly high, the arterial line saline is not going to dramatically change it one way or another.

Thank you!

LR can be used.

Heparinized saline or NS only for A-lines.

In the NICU our preemies often have high sodiums, so we will infuse 0.45% saline instead of the normal 0.9% type. We always use heparin to make sure the line doesn't clot off, but that's it.

Of course, we run our lines at 0.3-0.5 ml/hr, but we give so little fluid to these kids that every bit of sodium and dextrose is scrutinized.

Hi,

I am not a critical care RN , so I have a question about arterial lines. Have you ever used anything but normal saline (and ns+heparin) to infuse in or flush with? What about D5W? If a patient has a high sodium would not infusing ns into an art line really affect their sodium level?

thank you

No meds, no bolus' no nuttin but normal @ 3cc/hr via transducer.

P.S. If you ever have a patient with an Aline, I know it will be tempting, but don't turn OFF the alarms. Seems like common sense right? Turns out its not.