BoyNurse07

I need everyone's opinion please. Does anyone measure central venous pressure via a water manometer? I work in a small hospital and we measure CVP via this method. I have a question regarding that. Do you leave the line attached to the distal port at all times? One nurse says to leave it attached to the distal port- if able- at all times. "It should never be unhooked". She says to add Heparin to the saline bag. Then another nurse says you can unhook it. Just hook it up when you want to measure it. Which is correct? I cannot find much information on the internet regarding this. My next questions have to deal with Central Lines and Infus-a-ports. I have seen a lot of different people comment on the non-use of Heparin Flushes. Any comments. We flush central lines and infus-a-ports, when not in use, every 8 hours with 10ml of saline and 3-5ml of Heparin Flush. Is this how everyone else does it? Also, when you are blood sampling; do you always flush before you get your sample: 1. Flush with 10ml, then waste 10ml, then draw your sample, then flush with saline, then heparin? Of course with TPN, you would flush before. I was taught in clinical, in nursing school, to 1. Draw back and discard 5ml, then your sample. I was never taught to flush prior to blood sampling; unless with TPN. Any thoughts? Thanks for you assistance.

I need some insight on how you guys deal with central lines, infus-a-ports, and PICC Lines. Blood draws: We flush with 10ml of normal saline, then draw back 10ml; then you pull back 5ml of waste; finally pulling back your sample. Is this right? With TPN, we flush with 20ml prior. Flushing: We still use Heparin with all of our ports and central lines, except for valve-ended PICC lines. We ususally flush everything with 10ml of normal saline then 5ml of Heparin Flush. This is with central lines and infusaports. We flush all unused ports-- every 8 hours and of course, before and after each use. Dressing changes: We change our central line and infus-a-port dressing changes once a week or more if required. We clean first with betadine, then with alcohol. But, I think it should be the other way around but nobody thinks that I know what I am talking about. Just curious of all of your thoughts.

Thank you VERY MUCH BIRD 2. I really appreciate it. I knew the basics, but having it explained to me again helps! Again, thanks!!!!

I have very little experience with wound care. I have been taking care of more patients with wounds/decubs and I have a few questions. 1. When you measure a wound, do you use centimeters? I am assuming this because of observing other nurses. 2. When measuring, tell me, do you do length x width or how is a wound measured? Some wounds have appeared "weird" to me and I was unsure on how to determine what the length was or what the width was?? I thought it was just measured by it's diameter and if deep enough, it's depth. I guess I need some general information on would measurement. As you can see... I have no experience what so ever and lost! Thanks for your help in advance! I work in a place that does not help newer nurses.