Need help drawing labs from PICC line

[Jo Dirt]

I have a patient in HH I am having to draw daily gentamycin troughs on. Am I doing correctly by flushing the port with 10 ml of normal saline, then withdrawing 10 ml blood, discarding the first blood then drawing my lab?

This is my first case like this. Just need some guidance.

Thanks.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

Thats how I do it.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Ditto, sounds fine.

[PANurseRN1]

I would just add to make sure you're following your agency's P&P.

[RN2B07]

Yep...just remember to flush with 20cc when ur done.

[PANurseRN1]

Twenty? I've never heard that much being used before. Also, her agency's P&P may require a hep. flush after the saline.

Always make sure you are following policy. People here may be able to give you guidelines on what they do, but you must follow P&P at all times.

[HyperRNRachel]

Yep...just remember to flush with 20cc when ur done.

20cc's? I've been flushing with 10-always using a 10cc syringe.

[MrsStraty]

Alwats flush PICC lines with 20cc of NS. You flush 10cc with regular central lines.

MrsStraty

[sabRN2b05, BSN, RN]

20cc's? I've been flushing with 10-always using a 10cc syringe.

I was always taught to flush with 10cc NS, pull back 10cc blood, discard, and then draw (same way you're doing it). Our hospital policy is flush with 20cc NS after blood draws. We also flush with 1ml Heparin q shift (100u/ml) for ports not in use.

[PANurseRN1]

And our policy is to flush with 10cc then 5cc heparin. Which goes to show that you should follow your hospital/agency policy as practice may vary.

[TazziRN, RN]

after your draw you always flush with twice the amount you withdrew and wasted. if you waste 10 ml, you flush with 20 ml after your draw.

[PANurseRN1]

I was thinking about this from the POV of drawing the labs then doing an infusion.