Can you give blood and antibiotics both at the same time through a triple lumen cath?

[mommy2anangel]

Sorry, I'm an LPN, and the R.N.s where I work are all having a debate. I am in nursing school to get my R.N. I asked my nursing instructor, and she said she didn't think you could but wasn't sure. Can someone please offer me and the other nurses I work with some insight?

Thanks.

Sandy

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

chani said:

You are correct that a CVC can deliver blood and that most lumens are wide. However, they are also a whole lot longer than a peripheral IV, and if you want to give the blood quickly, then it will be slowed down (poiselles law )allnurses.com/forums/f16/radius-4th-power-76225.html

So that's why I said it depends on the context. For critically ill patients with multiple IV and lots of meds, a peripheral cannula is often better logistically as you can run the blood without worrying about getting other meds in. If they need the blood quickly, you can get it in quicker.

This is more of a theoretical problem than a practical one outside of trauma.

You can use rapid volume infusers with upwards of 250 ml/min on regular central lines, which is more than enough flow. If you need more than that, you aren't worrying about antibiotics.

[chani]

Sorry to say it is more than theoretical it is practical. In the context of a highly ill patient with multiple infusions and meds, there are always times when a triple lumen and or even a quad lumen central line are insufficient.

While I agree that in a trauma patient, AB is not usually an issue, there may be patients who require lots of blood and AB or other meds.

But I think we are debating semantics here. We have agreed you can give blood and AB via a central line so long as they are in separate lumens, and the patient should have the appropriate IV access for their particular circumstances.

[Babs0512]

Yes :wink2:

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Yep, as long as they're on different lumens. Do it every darn day.