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Discussion

PICC lines

Could anyone tell me why we should use a 10mL syring on PICC lines?

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  • Expert

they generate less pressure in the picc line when pushing anything into the line. less likely to accidentally rupture the catheter. the smaller the syringe the greater the pressure created when pushing fluids into these lines, so larger syringes are recommended. these days, pharmacies normally are sending nothing smaller than 10cc syringes out with the flush solutions. when i was an iv therapist i used to flush the piccs with 30cc or 50cc syringes if i had them.

I never really understood this and I don't believe it. I have taken a picc line that was a demo and hooked a 3cc syringe to it and pushed. Since there is not much fluid to push, very little pressure is generated. BUT... when you hook a 10cc syringe to it and push... There is a lot more fluid and a bigger piston and you can generate a lot more pressure over a longer period of time and it comes flying out the end of it. I have watched nurses push extremely hard and fast on that 10cc syringe. I can't imagine what a 30 or 60cc syringe can generate. That is a very large piston with a lot of volume trying to squeeze fluid through a very small hole.

I do use 10cc syringes with picc lines, but I press very slowly and evenly. I would not hesitate to use any kind of syringe with a picc line, just don't go crazy on pressing the plunger.

  • Expert
I never really understood this and I don't believe it.

I believe there have been studies done to support this. Check the research data.

I thought it was also to do with the amount of fluid. We were taught never to use anything less than 10ml and most importantly to begin withdrawing the syringe on the last 0.5ml while still pushing the solution to create positive pressure which will prevent blood from collecting at the catheter tip; preventing occluded catheter.

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