help on central line dressing changes/flushing!!!!!

[shelbee1084]

ok so I have check offs on central line dressing change and flushing a central line this week so anyone who can answer my question as soon as possible will really be helpful. ok so I know that when you are changing the cap on a central line it needs to be primed with normal saline beforehand and the new cap is in its own sterile package by itself. heres my question...when you are putting the new cap on, do you just pick it up with your hand and put it on or do you put the new cap on the normal saline syringe, prime it, leave the new cap it, and disconnect the syringe leaving the new cap on? im probably not saying this right and its probably confusing. if anyone can help, PLEASE it is much appreciated!!!

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

do the 2nd thing you said...when you prime it, leave it attached to the syringe(but make sure you keep the other end of your cap that will screw onto the line, sterile). that way when you take the old cap off, pick up your flush(syringe whatever u wanna call it), twist the syringe until the new cap is on...twist the syringe off, and you're left with your new cap on the line.