You idiot.....

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The other day a patient needed a blood sample and had a double lumen PICC...I could not get the blood to withdraw from the PICC...I thought maybe the line was clogged and asked a nurse for a second opinion....she was able to with draw the blood without any problem.....she looked at me like I was a idiot....I wonder why I couldn't get blood return?

Any ideas?:o

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

Was it clamped?

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

No do not feel like an idiot......this happens all the time. If you have any type of valved catheter (ie Groshong.Pasv.SOLO) you often have to pre-flush to aid in the valve opening. This is a good idea for any PICC or CVC to ensure patency. Sometimes you will have to change patient positions as in pulling the arm out.puttting the bed down and things like that. If you have a dual lumen try the other port. If you have a PWO (persistant withdrawl occlusion) meaning you are able to easily instill but unable to easily withraw (more than once and after troubleshooting) the catheter needs to be treated with TPA.

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No jb2u, it was not clamped.

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Thanks iluvit

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

You are welcome garciadiego!!!! I am blessed to have found a speciality i love but I never forget how talented all types of nurses are and I see it constantly. no one knows everything

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