help!

[sweetieann]

I've tried to look everywhere to find a simple answer to this and can't--what do you do when blood backs up the IV tubing? Do you usually restring new tubing or do you disconnect from pt's hub and prime/spill the bloody iv mixture out into the garbage and reconnect?

Thanks!

[BookwormRN]

I will do one of two things: I increase the rate of the flowing IV for a few mls, to see if the blood will flush out. If not, I will grab saline a flush and flush at the lowest port. One of these methods usually works just fine.

Anyone else?

[NYnurseatheart]

Hello,

I do exactly as Bookworm does - usually flush with saline, the lowest port with a pulsing type action. I absolutely would not disconnect it and run it into the garbage. If it did not clear up with the last bag of fluid hung, and the flush, then I would start with new tubing with the next bag hung.

Just my two cents.

NY Nurse at Heart

[sweetieann]

could the blood form clots in the line though, and then go into circulation when you flush?

thanks for the response!

[NYnurseatheart]

To answer your question about clots, it would depend what the solution was that was running (if LR or D5), then yes, if sitting for too long, it can clot. If the solution running is an antibiotic, mixed in NS, then just flush it when you see it. If you know that the blood only backed up into the tubing a few minutes ago - then feel free to flush. If you don't know how long the blood has been there, then get a new set of tubing instead of flushing.

Again, just my two cents.

NY Nurse at Heart

[RRTM2]

hello... RT question...

when i see this, let the RN know?

thanks!

....and the beat goes on....