A-Line Question

[mdfog10]

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

[heartICU]

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.

[mdfog10]

Thank you!

[christianRN]

LR can be used.

[hollyster]

Heparinized saline or NS only for A-lines.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

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.

[mountain_rn]

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.