After accessing many porta-caths at my outpatient oncology office I have discovered that some patients (not all) have a metallic taste at the back of their mouth. Some smell a salty strong bad odor as I flush the saline. I always suggest a mint/gum to chew/suck while I flush the saline before and after their treatment.
Has anyone ever had this experience. For some pts is so bad it makes them gag and throw up. I blame it on the Saline bc When I flush the Heparin at the end they don't experience this "bad" taste/smell.
Any input?
Always been so curious about this. What exactly causes this?
