What is the nursing management of a PICC line?

Keeping PICC lines ready Care and maintenance of a PICC line includes assessing the site for signs and symptoms of infection, including redness, tenderness, or swelling. To keep an eye on any swelling, the patient’s arm circumference can be compared with the baseline measurement taken before PICC line insertion.

How do you care for a PICC line after removal?

Manage the line or catheter site:

1. Leave the bandage in place for at least 24 hours, or as directed. Change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty.
2. You may need to remove the first bandage. Clean the area with soap and water. Pat the area dry.
3. If you have an incision, keep it dry until it is completely healed.

What can you not do after PICC line removal?

Do not shower for 24 hours. Do not lift anything 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or more for 24 hours. Keep the area covered, clean and dry for 24 hours to let the site heal. It’s been 24 hours since my procedure.

What is the most common complication of PICC lines?

PICC line complications can include:

• Bleeding.
• Nerve injury.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Damage to veins in your arm.
• Blood clots.
• Infection.
• A blocked or broken PICC line.

Can a patient go home with a PICC line?

This small, soft tube has been placed in a vein in your arm. It’s often used when treatment requires medicines or nutrition for weeks or months. At home, you need to take care of your PICC to keep it working.

Why do you have to hold your breath when removing a PICC line?

Ask patient to hold their breath at the end of expiration before the last 15cm of the PICC is removed. During inspiration, negative intrathoracic pressure can encourage air to enter the exit site and cause an air embolism.

How long do you keep dressing on after PICC line removal?

Keep the dressing on for 24 hours. Replace the dressing if it becomes wet or dirty. After 24 hours, you may remove the dressing and shower or bathe as usual. If there is any bleeding, apply gentle pressure for 2 minutes.

How long can a PICC line stay in?

A PICC can stay in your body for your entire treatment, up to 18 months. Your doctor will remove it when you don’t need it anymore. Having a PICC shouldn’t keep you from doing your normal activities, such as work, school, sexual activity, showering, and mild exercise.

Why can’t I flush my PICC line?

If you have trouble flushing a PICC, it may be occluded. Thrombotic catheter occlusions are caused by the buildup of fibrin or coagulated blood inside the PICC’s lumen or at its tip.

What can’t you do with a PICC line?

Having a PICC shouldn’t keep you from doing your normal activities, such as work, school, sexual activity, showering, and mild exercise. Avoid contact sports, such as football and soccer, while your PICC is in place.

How often do you flush a PICC line that is not in use?

You’ll need to flush your PICC line as often as directed by your healthcare provider. You may need to flush it after each use. If the PICC line is not in active use, you may need to flush it once a day. Or you may only need to flush it once a week.

Is removing a PICC line a sterile procedure?

PICC line removal is usually accomplished without complication. However, to reduce catheter related blood stream infection and the potential for foreign body embolus, PICCs should be removed by a physician or trained registered nurse.

How to take care of your PICC after the procedure?

They’ll also teach you how to care for your PICC after your procedure. You can have a caregiver, family member, or friend learn with you. You might need to stop taking some of your medications before your procedure. Talk with your doctor about which medications are safe for you to stop taking.

How is a PICC line used to deliver medication?

It’s also called a PICC line. PICC line placement involves inserting a PICC line into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart. A PICC line is used to deliver medications and other treatments directly to the large central veins near your heart.

What is a peripherally inserted central catheter ( PICC )?

This information explains what a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is and how it’s placed. It also has general guidelines for caring for your PICC at home. A PICC is a type of central venous catheter (CVC). Arrow (up) icon.

Are there any complications with a PICC line?

PICC line complications can include: Some complications can be treated so that your PICC line can remain in place. Other complications might require removing the PICC line. Depending on your situation, your doctor might recommend placing another PICC line or using a different type of central venous catheter.