When a central venous catheter is not in use, how often should the catheter line be flushed to maintain its patency and prevent complications?

Question

Question

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AIIMS NORCET 7 Prelims Memory Based Paper 2024

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Every 24 hours

Rationale:

A central venous catheter (CVC) is a tube placed into a large vein, typically used for administering medication or fluids, obtaining blood tests, and directly obtaining cardiovascular measurements. Proper maintenance is essential to prevent complications such as infections or blockages.
Flushing the catheter line helps maintain its patency, ensuring it remains open and functional. This is usually done with a saline solution or heparinized saline to prevent clot formation and minimize the risk of infection.
Current guidelines recommend flushing the catheter every 24 hours when it is not in use. This frequency is considered optimal for preventing the catheter from becoming blocked while also minimizing the risk of infection.

Explanation of Other Options:

Every 12 hours

Rationale: Flushing the catheter every 12 hours is more frequent than necessary. While this could help maintain patency, it increases the risk of introducing infection with each access to the catheter.

Every 36 hours

Rationale: Flushing every 36 hours is less frequent than recommended. This may not be sufficient to prevent clot formation or blockages, potentially compromising catheter functionality.

Every 48 hours

Rationale: Flushing every 48 hours is also less frequent than recommended. Similar to the 36-hour interval, this can increase the risk of blockages and complications due to the longer intervals between flushes.

Conclusion:

Maintaining the patency of a central venous catheter is crucial for its effective use. Flushing the catheter every 24 hours is the recommended practice to prevent blockages and minimize the risk of complications such as infections. Adhering to this schedule ensures the catheter remains functional and reduces the potential for adverse events.