Air in the IV line.....

Published

:uhoh3: How much is too much? Is any air in the IV line safe? How do you get every bit of air out? Nurses seem to differ on this and it freaks me out.:nono:
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello, nomadnurse and welcome to allnurses.com

check out this thread started recently on the same topic:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/air-embolus-151793.html?highlight=embolus

enjoy the site!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.

I was taught in nursing school that peripherial lines put on an IV pumps is safe(will go not further if too much air in line), a little air that is left in line is not going to make a difference.

If you talk about a central line like with a double or triple lumen, then we taught to make sure all air is out of the line before connecting and starting a pump!

If anyone has any more info on this please let me know.

Carol Weeks RN / ER

:uhoh3: How much is too much? Is any air in the IV line safe? How do you get every bit of air out? Nurses seem to differ on this and it freaks me out.:nono:
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric home care..

can't air in the blood cause an enbolisom?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.

I have been taught that yes, air can cause an embolism, but it has to be quite a bit of air in a peripherial line.

The real concern is the central line. Check the line to make sure it is well primed with no visable bubbles or air pockets, before connecting.

I'm just wondering has there been anyone that has had that problem, with their patient having an emboli from air in IV?

Nobody I know has mentioned any problem in my 17 yrs in healthcare...

CW

can't air in the blood cause an enbolisom?
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been told that it would take the whole IV tubing full of air (might have been slightly exxagerated...I'm sure half would do the trick) to cause an emboli. A few little bubbles here and there get filtered out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've heard that it takes roughly the entire line on an IVAC to cause a problem.

I know that in Dialysis, it was always a potential issue on return. We were all advised to stop the line if we had an air warning, trendelenburg and have the patient lie on their left so that the right side of the heart was at the greatest hight.

Other than that, nothing to add.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depends on the line. Peripheral slow running lines with a little air won't hurt. A central line with a little air may have some potential depending on the pt. A swan with a ruptured balloon is the same. An a line should never have air. Rapid transfuser should have little or no air, because it is going so fast it's easy to have more air then what you think, so I always tell nurses to burp and clear all lines well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursery, L and D.

We have a doc that wants every...single...bubble out of the line. Uggggg......I do work in the nursery, so our pts are tiny, but the micro bubble in a peripheral IV are not gonna give them an embolism!

The other pedis say it would take upwards of 10cc of air to actually cause an emboli in a 3lbs baby.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.
I've heard that it takes roughly the entire line on an IVAC to cause a problem.

Ive heard the same thing... but wouldnt try it! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

guys! this was more recently thoroughly discussed on this thread:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion