the relationship of catheter gauge number, diameter and rate of tranfusion??D:

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Could someone please help me to see if this is correct??

I'm a little bit stuck on this catheter thing...D:

Larger the gauge number --> smaller the diameter of the catheter --> lower rate of tranfusion

Many thanks:)

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

once I read this it all made sense: When wire was first invented it came in one specific size only. At some point it was discovered you could keep running the wire through smaller and smaller holes to get smaller and smaller sizes. If it took 20 times to do that, it was a 20 gauge wire. If it took 24 times, it was a 24 gauge wire. Smaller and smaller but more times to get there. Hope that helps.

Does not help with the infusion question but the previous post did that. Good luck in school!

The term catheter is a general one.

Tubing of any kind can be describe in "gauge" or "French" (not to mention "schedule" for PVC, copper, and iron pipe).

The diameter is inversely related to gauge but directly related to French.

That is, you'd rather have a 24-gauge in your hand but an 8-French in your urethra.

The rate of flow through any tubing is a function of the viscosity of the flowing medium, the tubing's inside diameter, and the length that it's traveling.

Larger diameters and shorter lengths (and reduced viscosities) yield higher flow rates for a given pressure differential

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