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I had an iv pump that kept saying distal occlusion. The line wasn't linked and iv flushed and looked fine. If it says distal occlusion, do you think something was wrong with the iv even though there was no real physical signs something wrong with iv. I did see his right hand was a little bit bigger than the left. He had a lower forearm iv to the right side. He had no pain and the temperature of his skin was the same on both hands which was warm. Please share your knowledge.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

It could be a pump malfunction. Or else, if you can control where you place the flow clamp, try moving the clamp to a different part of the tubing. My current system does not allow for this; a fixed part of tubing goes into the pump. But the previous system I used would sometimes alarm occlusion; moving the flow clamp an inch, then kneading the previously clamped piece to open it up, worked.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Sometimes they are just difficult. You mentioned that it is in the patients HAND. I'd be willing to bet he is moving his hand

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The location of the iv did t seem it would of affected the moment of his hand as if it was all positional like an ac iv.

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Next time if I have an iv that is going off and I don't know why I will just change iv tubing and pump. Bc like I was saying it was flushing good, the iv line was not kinked or clamped. I was my patients room almost every hour.

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
It could be a pump malfunction. Or else, if you can control where you place the flow clamp, try moving the clamp to a different part of the tubing. My current system does not allow for this; a fixed part of tubing goes into the pump. But the previous system I used would sometimes alarm occlusion; moving the flow clamp an inch, then kneading the previously clamped piece to open it up, worked.

Yes! I second this theory. I've ran into this issue several times. After assesing the client thoroughly, I've found the the IV line and clamp just need to be fiddled with. Sometimes if it keeps beeping, I just change the tubing. Then it's fine.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If the hand is the probably cause, roll up a wash cloth and have them hold it in their hand. Usually is a simple way to keep the hand positioned correctly, esp. if they don't want you to start another site.

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