Flushing vs Irrigating.... HELP!!!

[newnurse111]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new community nurse, and I have a doctor's order to irrigate a drain with 10cc NS.

Now, I believe that flushing, is it just flush the drain and leave the NS in, and cap the drain..... and irrigating is to flush the drain, then withdraw the same amount that you put in....

Is this correct?

So what I'm asking is... if the order is to "irrigate"... do I withdraw the fluid out, or leave it in??

Thanks.

-newnurse111

[Pat_Pat RN]

Taber's says:

flush: 2. Irrigation of a cavity, or a device such as a feeding tube, with water.

irrigate: To wash out with a fluid.

...I really think it would depend on your policies and procedures.

What kinda drain are you talking about?

[newnurse111]

Hi,

It's an abdominal drain, that is draining ++ ascites... it's to straight drainage.

So today, I just flushed it with 10 cc NS, and withdrew the fluid back into the syringe.

I'm not sure if I should have left the NS in there, or if in fact, I did the right thing my withdrawing it back out....

See, I thought "FLUSH" means, leave the fluid in there.... and "IRRIGATE" means withdraw it out....

ANY other suggestions or advice would be appreciated :)

I've asked other friends that are nurses, and they're giving me both answers, so I'm looking for the right one!!

Thanks!

[TinkRN8]

I am not a nurse yet, however, do have experience with drains. Had 4 JP drains last summer in my abdomen... fun times!:wink2: So, had to do the care myself at home once I was released from the hospital. I would close the stop cock to unhook the bulb end and drain out the goop from the bulbs, reattach and push in 10 cc of saline. I never had to draw any back out. Not sure if you are dealing with the same kind of drain or not.

[DreamingTree]

I would have irrigated the same way you did: quickly flush with NSS, then quickly withdraw same amount. The one time I had an irrigation order for a drainage tube, the dr actually wrote out the w/draw instructions -- w/emphasis on the "quick" part.

Easiest solution is to call the dr for clarification.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

never assume. when in doubt, call the doctor and ask. then write an order that clearly states exactly what he wants done so there is no guessing by anyone else.