IV
Catheters
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IV
catheters come in varying sizes, both in bore (diameter) and
catheter length. The bore of the catheter is referred to by
gauge. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the bore of
the catheter. Therefore, a 14 ga. catheter is much larger than
a 22 ga. catheter.
The
'needle' portion of the catheter is called a stylet. It is used
to penetrate the skin and vein wall. After the vein is penetrated,
the flexible plastic catheter is advanced into the vein and
the stylet is automatically withdrawn into the tail piece, thus
preventing accidental needle sticks after the catheter is in
the vein.
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Some
patients at home or in a medical facility may have a central line, that
is, an IV line that is inserted into a large vein in the torso, rather
than a peripheral vein in an extremity. Central lines are used when the
patient must have IV therapy for an extended period of time, or when multiple
fluids need to be infused. The central line at left is inserted into a
subclavian vein. The three ports may be used, for example, to administer
TPN, IV fluids, and medications, each via its own port. |
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patient at right has a PICC line, a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.
This long catheter actually ends in the patient's subclavian vein. |
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Central
lines and PICC lines are NOT peripheral limb IV vein IVs, and may not
be transported via BLS ambulance unless the IV caregiver is in the patient
compartment of the ambulance. If the patient is the IV manager, the
patient must be capable of managing the IV, despite the current illness/crisis. |
COPYRIGHT
2004
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DIVISION OF FIRE RESCUE SERVICES
MONTGOMERY COUNTY FRE RESCUE TRAINING ACADEMY |
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Seniors
