what size syringe is used to flush triple lumen?

psychomachia · Oct 6, 2003

10cc or larger seems to be the going recommendation.

http://www.hmpvascular.com/faq.htm

http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_therapies/education/iv_therapy_ce/basic_one/basictwo.html

http://www.bardaccess.com/faq/q_a.html

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2003

Originally posted by psychomachia
10cc or larger seems to be the going recommendation.

http://www.hmpvascular.com/faq.htm

http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_therapies/education/iv_therapy_ce/basic_one/basictwo.html

http://www.bardaccess.com/faq/q_a.html

Agree with the above.

acuteobrn · Oct 6, 2003

I was taught the same as the above posters...you are right, less pressure.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 8, 2003

Use 10 cc syringe. Use 5 cc heparin flush and 5 of normal saline per protocol unless other wise instructed.

live4today, RN · Oct 8, 2003

In total agreement with all the above. :)

Nutty RN · Oct 19, 2003

I was taught the same thing....10cc flush......5cc Heparin.

asil · Oct 19, 2003

10 cc syringe, so you have the right pressure

Stitchie · Oct 25, 2003

10cc on any central line (PICC or otherwise), only NS where I work unless there's a clotted port, then we use retiplase

nursemouse · Dec 5, 2003

I agree: 10 cc or larger.

Balagtas · Dec 6, 2003

same here, 10 cc or more

Agnus · Jan 11, 2004

I was taught not to use a 3 cc or smaller.

HOWEVER, I firmly believe nursing has it backwards. The larger the syringe the > the pressure. Because you have a bigger serface area inside the syringe which creates higer presssue.

Ask any plumber when you have a big pipe feeding into a small pipe it creates greater pressures inside the small pipe.

Has not one notice you must apply greater force when using a bigger syringe because you are trying to force a large surface area into a small one?

Think about this for a second. Say you are putting water though a NG with a 50 cc syringe using the plunger. Then say you take a 10 cc syring to deliver a dose of med into the same NG. It will take less force to deliver 10 cc thought the small syring than 10 cc thought the large one because there is less resistance because the size gradient change between the syring and the tube is less.