[cassioo]

will try to post the info next week I got it from someone in education and the phone number for the IV nurse assoc where you can call and talk to and IV nurse expert.

[cassioo]

here we go from another site I haven't gotten back to work yet to get the numbers for all syringes but it's similar to why you can lay on a bed of nails but not on a single nail:

The force may appear to be greater... but the amount of pressure exerted to flush the lumen is actually less. The greater force you believe is being exerted is due to the smaller lumen of the line... not due to the size of the syringe.

"When infusing IV fluids via syringe, the key pressure issues are force and internal diameter. The hand exerts force (F) across the syringe plunger (A). Applying the same force, a 3mL syringe produces a higher pressure than a 10mL syringe. " Resistance and Pressue in Effective IV Therapy, http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_the...ssure.html#dyn

Here is the math: A 10cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 16mm. A 3cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 7mm. If, for example, the force/pressure exerted (F) is 50... then for a 10 cc syringe 50(F) divided by 16(A) = 3.125 psi. In the case of the 3cc syringe, 50 (F) divided by 7(A) = 7.15 psi.

THAT is the rationale for using the larger syringe for flushing... in this case, bigger IS better.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[cassioo]

We have also gone to a 3cc syringe prefilled NS flush that has a bigger barrel then the standard one..it's shorter and fatter so the volume of fluid is the same but the pressure isn't the same.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by OhbowhntrRN

I've heard many people say this, BUT.....it's not true. The pressure exerted from a 10cc syringe will be much greater than that of a 3cc syringe. As far as what made an IV go bad....that could be anything, from bumping it on something, sleeping with it up under you, not being flushed regularly, etc.

Well, on a side note; with patients having PICC lines you would not use anything less than a 10cc syringe.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by cassioo

here we go from another site I haven't gotten back to work yet to get the numbers for all syringes but it's similar to why you can lay on a bed of nails but not on a single nail:

The force may appear to be greater... but the amount of pressure exerted to flush the lumen is actually less. The greater force you believe is being exerted is due to the smaller lumen of the line... not due to the size of the syringe.

"When infusing IV fluids via syringe, the key pressure issues are force and internal diameter. The hand exerts force (F) across the syringe plunger (A). Applying the same force, a 3mL syringe produces a higher pressure than a 10mL syringe. " Resistance and Pressue in Effective IV Therapy, http://www.baxter.com/doctors/iv_the...ssure.html#dyn

Here is the math: A 10cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 16mm. A 3cc syringe has a diameter (A) of 7mm. If, for example, the force/pressure exerted (F) is 50... then for a 10 cc syringe 50(F) divided by 16(A) = 3.125 psi. In the case of the 3cc syringe, 50 (F) divided by 7(A) = 7.15 psi.

THAT is the rationale for using the larger syringe for flushing... in this case, bigger IS better.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excellent info!

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by hfergrn

I would be careful returning any blood from your waste syringe. You can easily introduce a clot (espicially if your pt has any clotting factors). It is safer to pitch your waste than to give it back....

... not if their Hct is low BTW, I always finish with a saline flush after giving back the waste.

Of course, if the patient's Hct is low you can ask for an order to have all blood draws sent via pedi tubes.

[cassioo]

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

Well, on a side note; with patients having PICC lines you would not use anything less than a 10cc syringe.

that's why I thought mine went bad it was a mid-line and had worked fine until a 3 cc syringe was used a couple of times by the same nurse. Maybe it was time for it to go bad but maybe the syringe helped it along the way.

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by cassioo

that's why I thought mine went bad it was a mid-line and had worked fine until a 3 cc syringe was used a couple of times by the same nurse. Maybe it was time for it to go bad but maybe the syringe helped it along the way.

... maybe?