When an isotonic infusate (solution that is infused into the body) is used, water does not move into or out of the body’s cells. Therefore patients receiving isotonic solutions are at risk for fluid overload, especially older adults. This complication is discussed in Chapter 13. Hypertonic fluids are used to correct fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances by moving water out of the body’s cells and into the bloodstream. Parenteral nutrition solutions are also hypertonic (see Chapter 63). Instead of moving water out of cells, hypotonic infusates move water into cells to expand them. Patients receiving either hypertonic or hypotonic fluids are at risk for phlebitis and infiltration. Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein caused by mechanical, chemical, or bacterial irritation. Infiltration occurs when IV solution leaks into the tissues around the vein.

The pH of IV solutions measures the acidity or alkalinity and usually ranges from 3.5 to 6.2. Extremes of both osmolarity and pH can cause vein damage leading to phlebitis and thrombosis (blood clot in the vein). Thus fluids and medications with a pH value less than 5 and more than 9 and with an osmolarity more than 600 mOsm/L are best infused in the central circulation where greater blood flow provides adequate hemodilution (Perucca, 2010). For example, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions have an osmolarity greater than 1400 mOsm/L. TPN should not be infused in peripheral circulation because it can damage blood cells and the endothelial lining of the veins.

Nursing Safety Priority

Drug Alert

Drugs such as amiodarone (Cordarone), vancomycin (Vancocin), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro I.V.) are venous irritants and have a pH less than 5. Phlebitis occurs when patients require long-term infusion of these drugs in peripheral circulation. Drugs with vasoconstrictive action, such as dopamine, or chemotherapeutic agents, such as vinblastine, are vesicants that can cause extravasation. Extravasation results in severe tissue damage as manifested by blistering, tissue sloughing, or necrosis from infiltration into the surrounding tissues (see Complications of Intravenous Therapy section on p. 227 for further explanation and Chapter 24 for more detail). Monitor the IV insertion site carefully for early manifestations of infiltration, including swelling, coolness, or redness. If any of these symptoms are present, discontinue the drug immediately and notify the infusion therapy team, if available. If an infusion specialist is not available, plan to remove the IV catheter and consider central line placement.

Blood and Blood Components

Blood transfusion is given by using packed red blood cells, created by removing a large portion of the plasma from whole blood. Other available blood components include platelets, fresh frozen plasma, albumin, and several specific clotting factors. Each component has detailed requirements for blood-type compatibility and infusion techniques. For patient safety, The Joint Commission’s 2010 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) require agencies to ensure that blood components are properly ordered, handled and dispensed, and administered and that patients are appropriately monitored. Positive patient identification using two patient identifiers and requiring two qualified health care professionals is essential before any blood or blood component is administered. Most organizations use the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) universal bar-coding system to ensure the right blood for the right patient (Fig. 15-1). The ISBT system includes four components that must be present on the blood label both in bar code and in eye-readable format. These four components are (1) a unique facility identifier, (2) the lot number relating to the donor, (3) the product code, and (4) the ABO group and Rh type of the donor.

FIG. 15-1 Unit of blood showing the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) universal barcode for blood transfusions.

An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by an incompatible blood transfusion is a “sentinel event” requiring an intense analysis of the contributing factors and corrective action. Established policies and procedures must be rigidly followed to ensure a safe transfusion and reduce the risk for complications. (See Chapter 42 for a complete discussion of blood transfusion administration.)

Drug Therapy

IV drugs provide a rapid therapeutic effect but can lead to immediate serious reactions, called adverse drug events (ADEs). Hundreds of drugs are available for infusion by a variety of techniques. As with all drug administration, nurses must be knowledgeable about drug indications, proper dosage, contraindications, and precautions. IV administration also requires knowledge of appropriate dilution, rate of infusion, pH and osmolarity, compatibility with other IV medications, appropriate infusion site (peripheral versus central circulation), potential for vesicant/irritant effects, and specific aspects of patient monitoring because of its immediate effect. Regardless of familiarity with the drug, never assume that IV administration is the same as giving that drug by other routes. New information is continuously being published, and new drugs are rapidly being introduced.

Medication safety is extremely important in all health care settings today. The Joint Commission publishes new and updated National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) every year. One major goal is improving the safety of high-alert drugs. An example of these drugs is concentrated electrolyte solutions (e.g., potassium chloride), which require restricted access, prominent warnings about the concentration, and storage in a secured location.

Procedures must be established to prevent errors resulting from look-alike, sound-alike drugs such as Celebrex IV (celecoxib) and Cerebyx (fosphenytoin). Other strategies to reduce errors include limiting available concentrations of drugs and dispensing all drugs, including catheter flush solutions, in single-dose containers. Smart pumps, with drug libraries (see Infusion Systems section), in combination with computer physician order entry (CPOE) and barcode medication administration (BCMA) systems, use recent technology to help reduce adverse drug events (ADEs). Electronic medication administration records (MARs) and multiple checks by pharmacists, as required by The Joint Commission’s NPSGs, also help reduce errors.

Prescribing Infusion Therapy

A prescription for infusion therapy written by a physician or other authorized health care provider is necessary before IV therapy begins. To be complete, the prescription for infusion fluids should include:

• Specific type of fluid

• Rate of administration written in milliliters per hour, or the total amount of fluid and the total number of hours for infusion (e.g., 125 mL/hr or 1000 mL/8 hr)

• Drugs and the specific dose to be added to the solution, such as electrolytes or vitamins

A drug prescription should include:

• Drug name, preferably by generic name

• Specific dose and route

• Frequency of administration

• Time of administration

• Length of time for infusion

• Purpose (required in some health care agencies, especially nursing homes)

Some continuously infused drugs, such as those for pain management, are prescribed as milligrams per hour. The type and volume of dilution for infusion medications may be included in the prescription or calculated by the infusion pharmacist.

Nursing Safety Priority

Action Alert

Determine that the IV prescription is appropriate for the patient and clarify any questions with the health care provider before administration. Be sure to check for the accuracy and completeness of the treatment prescription. An example of an incomplete one is “5% dextrose in water to keep the vein open” (TKO or KVO). This statement does not specify the rate of infusion and is not considered complete.

Vascular Access Devices

An infusion catheter, also known as a vascular access device (VAD), is a plastic tube placed in a blood vessel to deliver fluids and medications. The specific type and purpose of the therapy determine whether the infusion can be given safely through peripheral veins or if the large central veins of the chest are needed. Advances in catheter materials and insertion techniques have radically expanded the types of VADs currently used. This discussion includes the description of each type of catheter used for peripheral and central IV therapy. Seven major types are described:

• Short peripheral catheters

• Midline catheters

• Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)

• Nontunneled percutaneous central venous catheters (CVCs)

• Tunneled catheters

• Implanted ports

• Hemodialysis catheters

Assess the patient’s needs for vascular access, and choose the device that has the best chance of infusing the prescribed therapy for the required length of time. Depending on the patient and type of VAD to be inserted, a topical anesthetic agent or intradermal lidocaine HCl 1% may be helpful to decrease patient discomfort. Obtain a health care provider’s order and check for patient allergies before administering any anesthetic.

Nclex Examination Challenge

Safe and Effective Care Environment

A client receiving vancomycin intravenously reports that the peripheral IV insertion site has become painful and reddened. What is the nurse’s first action?

A. Report the change to the health care provider.

B. Document the findings in the electronic patient record.

C. Change the IV insertion site to a new location.

D. Stop the infusion of the drug.

Peripheral Intravenous Therapy

Short infusion catheters are the most commonly used vascular access devices (VADs) for peripheral IV therapy. They are usually placed in the veins of the arm. Another catheter used for peripheral IV therapy is a midline catheter.

Short Peripheral Catheters

Short peripheral catheters are composed of a plastic cannula built around a sharp stylet extending slightly beyond the cannula (Fig. 15-2). The stylet (sharp) allows for the venipuncture, and the cannula is advanced into the vein. Once the cannula is advanced into the vein, the stylet is withdrawn. These catheters are designed with a safety mechanism to cover the sharp end of the stylet after it is removed from the patient. These stylets are hollow-bore, blood-filled needles that carry a high risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens if needle stick injury occurs. A federal law enacted in 2000 amended the Bloodborne Pathogen Standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requiring the use of catheters with an engineered safety mechanism to prevent needle sticks.

FIG. 15-2 BD Insyte Autoguard IV catheter. With the push of a button, the needle instantly retracts, reducing the risk for accidental needle stick injuries.

Insertion and Placement Methods

Short peripheral catheters are usually inserted into superficial veins of the dorsal surface of the hand and the forearm using sterile technique. In emergent situations, these catheters can be used also in the external jugular vein of the neck. Avoid the use of veins in the lower extremities of adults, if possible, because of an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis and infiltration.

Short catheters range in length from inch to inch with gauge sizes from 26 gauge (the smallest) to 14 gauge (large bore). Choose the smallest gauge catheter capable of delivering the prescribed therapy. Current design allows for a thin-wall construction, providing a larger lumen (opening) without increasing the outer diameter. This design improves the fluid flow through the catheter while using a smaller gauge and thereby decreases the possibility of vein irritation from a large catheter. For example, a thin-walled 24-gauge Insyte (BD Medical) catheter has about the same flow-rate ability as a 22-gauge non–thin-walled Angiocath (BD Medical). Larger gauge sizes allow for faster flow rates but also cause phlebitis more often. Table 15-1 lists each gauge size and its common uses.

TABLE 15-1 CHOOSING THE GAUGE SIZE FOR PERIPHERAL CATHETERS

CATHETER GAUGE	INDICATIONS	APPROXIMATE FLOW RATES
24-26 gauge Smallest, shortest (-inch length)	Not ideal for viscous infusions Expect blood transfusion to take longer Preferred for infants and small children	24 mL/min (1440 mL/hr)
22 gauge	Adequate for most therapies, blood can infuse without damage	38 mL/min (2280 mL/hr)
20 gauge (-inch length)	Adequate for all therapies Most anesthesiologists prefer not to use a smaller size than this for surgery cases	65 mL/min (3900 mL/hr)
18 gauge	Preferred size for surgery Vein needs to be large enough to accommodate the catheter	110 mL/min (6600 mL/hr)
14-16 gauge	For trauma and surgical patients requiring rapid fluid resuscitation Needs to be in a vein that can accommodate it

Short peripheral catheters are allowed to dwell (stay in) for 72 to 96 hours but then require removal and insertion at another venous site. If the patient’s therapy is expected to be longer than 6 days, a midline catheter or PICC should be chosen (O’Grady et al., 2011). When selecting the site for insertion of a peripheral catheter, consider the patient’s age, history, and diagnosis; the type and duration of the prescribed therapy; and, whenever possible, the patient’s preference. Chart 15-1 lists the major criteria for the placement of peripheral VADs.

Chart 15-1 Best Practice for Patient Safety & Quality Care

Placement of Short Peripheral Venous Catheters

• Verify that the prescription for infusion therapy is complete and appropriate for infusion through a short peripheral catheter.

• For adults, choose a site for placement in the upper extremity. DO NOT USE THE WRIST.

• Choose the patient’s nondominant arm when possible.

• Choose a distal site, and make all subsequent venipunctures proximal to previous sites.

• Do not use the arm on the side of a mastectomy, lymph node dissection, arteriovenous shunt or fistula, or paralysis.

• Avoid choosing a site in an area of joint flexion.

• Avoid choosing a site in a vein that feels hard or cordlike.

• Avoid choosing a site close to areas of cellulitis, dermatitis, or complications from previous catheter sites.

• Choose a vein of appropriate length and width to fit the size of the catheter required for infusion.

Though not yet widely used in most clinical settings, vein transilluminators and ultrasound devices are now available as tools to assist in IV line placement. Several different types of portable vein transilluminators are available, such as VeinViewer, Veinlite LED, and AccuVein (Fig. 15-3). Although they may have different mechanisms of action, some using infrared light and some using laser, these devices penetrate only up to approximately 10 mm and so are limited to finding superficial veins.

FIG. 15-3 The AccuVein AV300 is a vein illumination device that helps health care professionals locate veins for blood draw, IV infusion, and blood donation by projecting a pattern of light on the patient’s skin to reveal the position of underlying veins on the skin’s surface. The device uses red and infrared light, which the hemoglobin in blood absorbs to detect the position of the vein.

Ultrasound-guided peripheral IV insertion can allow insertion into deeper veins. Although this technology is very valuable, it may increase the risks for complications. Arteries and nerves lie parallel to deep veins, and special training is needed to learn to identify these structures and avoid damaging them. In addition, when deeper veins are accessed, infiltration may go undetected until a significant amount of fluid has collected in the tissues. This complication can be particularly devastating if the solution is an irritant or vesicant. If these devices are not used, nurses must rely on sight and touch to insert an IV catheter.

For patients who need IV access but are at risk for fluid overload or do not need extra IV fluids, the peripheral vascular access device (VAD) can be converted into an intermittent IV lock, also called a saline lock. This device allows administration of specific drugs given IV push (e.g., furosemide [Lasix, Furoside ]) or on an intermittent basis using a medication administration set. IV antibiotics are frequently given this way. In some cases, the saline lock is placed in case there is a need for emergency drug administration via IV push. The intermittent device is flushed with saline before and after drug administration to ensure patency and prevent occlusion with a blood clot.

Site Selection and Skin Preparation

The most appropriate veins for peripheral catheter placement include the dorsal venous network, basilic, cephalic, and median veins, as well as their branches (Fig. 15-4). However, cannulation of veins on the hand is not appropriate for older patients with a loss of skin turgor and poor vein condition and for active patients receiving infusion therapy in an ambulatory clinic or home care. Use of veins on the dorsal surface of the hands should be reserved for short-term infusion of non-vesicant and non-irritant solutions.

FIG. 15-4 Common IV sites. A, Inner arm. B, Dorsal surface of hand.

Mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, lymphedema, paralysis of the upper extremity, and the presence of dialysis grafts or fistulas alter the normal pattern of blood flow through the arm. Using veins in the extremity affected by these conditions requires a physician’s request. Short peripheral catheters are not recommended for obtaining routine blood samples.

Nursing Safety Priority

Critical Rescue

Avoid veins on the palmar side of the wrist because the median nerve is located close to veins in this area, making the venipuncture more painful and difficult to stabilize. The cephalic vein begins above the thumb and extends up the entire length of the arm. This vein is usually large and prominent, appearing as a prime site for catheter insertion. However, the sensory branch of the median nerve can intersect with the cephalic vein up to three times from its origin to about 4 to 5 inches up the lateral aspect of the arm. Damage to the nerve can result in permanent loss of function or complex regional pain syndrome, type 2 (CRPS) (Masoorli, 2007). Reports of tingling, feeling “pins and needles” in the extremity, or numbness during the venipuncture procedure can indicate nerve puncture. If any of these symptoms occur, stop the IV insertion procedure immediately, remove the catheter, and choose a new site.

Winged needles (“butterfly needles”) are easy to insert but are associated with a high frequency of infiltration. They are most commonly used for injection of single-dose drugs or for drawing blood samples. Like a short peripheral catheter, winged needles should also have an engineered safety mechanism to house the needle when removed.

Aseptic skin preparation and technique before IV insertion are crucial. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) can occur from a peripheral IV site. The CDC recommendations include:

• Perform hand hygiene before palpating the insertion site.

• Clip hair—do not shave.

• Ensure that skin is clean.

• Wear clean gloves for peripheral IV insertion; do not touch the access site after application of antiseptics.

• Prepare clean skin with 70% alcohol (or chlorhexidine) before peripheral venous catheter insertion.

• Apply povidone-iodine to the skin, and allow it to dry for at least 2 minutes.

Midline Catheters

Midline catheters can be anywhere from 3 to 8 inches long, 3 to 5 Fr, and double or single lumen. They are inserted through the veins of the upper arm. The median antecubital vein is used most often if insertion is done without the aid of ultrasound guidance. With ultrasound guidance, deeper veins can be accessed and the insertion site can be further above the antecubital fossa. The basilic vein is preferred over the cephalic vein because of its larger diameter and straighter path. It also allows greater hemodilution of the fluids and medications being infused. The catheter tip is located in the upper arm with the tip residing no further into the venous network than the axillary vein (Fig. 15-5). These catheters are used for therapies lasting from 1 to 4 weeks; however, there are no recommendations for the optimal dwell time. Because of the extended dwell time, strict sterile technique is used for insertion and dressing changes for a midline catheter (Rosenthal, 2008). Additional education and skill assessment are required for the nurse to be qualified to insert midline catheters.

FIG. 15-5 Midline catheter; the tip of this catheter resides in a peripheral vein.

A midline catheter can be used when skin integrity or limited peripheral veins make it difficult to maintain a short peripheral catheter. Patients who have received anticoagulation and/or steroid therapy can also benefit from avoidance of repeated IV sticks and the subsequent excessive bruising and hematoma formation.

Other indications include:

• Fluids for hydration

• Longer than 6 days and up to 4 weeks of therapy such as:

• Antibiotics

• Heparin infusions for deep vein thrombosis

• Bronchodilators, such as aminophylline

• Steroids

Midline catheters are considered to dwell in the peripheral circulation; the recommendations for infusates are the same as for short peripheral IVs. Fluids and medications infused through a midline catheter should have a pH between 5 and 9 and a final osmolarity of less than 600 mOsm/L (Perucca, 2010; Rosenthal, 2008). The pH and osmolarity outside these parameters increase the risk for complications like phlebitis and thrombosis. Midline catheters should not be used for infusion of vesicant medications—drugs that cause severe tissue damage if they escape into the subcutaneous tissue (extravasation). At a midline tip location, larger amounts of the drug can extravasate before the problem is detected.

All parenteral nutrition formulas, including those with low concentrations of dextrose, and solutions that have an osmolarity greater than 600 mOsm/L should not be infused through a midline catheter. Do not draw blood from these catheters routinely. Midline catheters should not be placed in extremities affected by mastectomy with lymphedema, paralysis, or dialysis grafts and fistulas. When using a double-lumen midline catheter, do not administer incompatible drugs simultaneously administered through both lumens because the blood flow rate in the axillary vein is not high enough to ensure adequate hemodilution and prevention of drug interaction in the vein.

Some midline catheters are designed with pressure-sensitive valves located near the internal catheter tip (e.g., Groshong, made by Bard Access Systems) or in the external catheter hub (e.g., PASV, made by Boston Scientific). These valves open when pressure is applied, allowing for infusion and aspiration. However, when no pressure is applied, they are closed to prevent blood refluxing (backing) into the lumen or air entering the bloodstream. The manufacturers of both catheters state to use only a saline flush for lines with pressure-sensitive valves.

Nclex Examination Challenge

Physiological Integrity

The health care provider prescribes 3 L 5%D/0.45%NS to be infused over 24 hours. The nurse sets the rate at _______mL/hr of IV solution.

Central Intravenous Therapy

In central IV therapy, the vascular access device (VAD) is placed in the central circulation, specifically within the superior vena cava (SVC) near its junction with the right atrium. Blood flow in the SVC is approximately 2 L/min compared with about 200 mL/min in the axillary vein. All central vascular access devices require confirmation of tip location by chest radiograph before solutions are infused (Hadaway, 2010a). However, the use of newer ultrasound systems, such as the Sherlock PICC tip location system, can decrease the need for repeated x-rays by confirming approximate catheter position. The practitioner inserts a specially designed magnetic stylet through the catheter before insertion into the patient so that the system can detect its tip location. These devices have been endorsed by the CDC and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Moreau, 2008a).

A number of types of central vascular access devices (CVADs) are available, depending on the purpose, duration, and insertion site availability. Several recent improvements in catheter materials allow antimicrobial and heparin coatings to reduce infection risk and improve the longevity of the catheter. Newer central catheters also allow for rapid injection rates required for contrast studies.

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters

A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a long catheter inserted through a vein of the antecubital fossa (inner aspect of the bend of the arm) or the middle of the upper arm. Nurses who insert these CVADs require special training and certification.

In adults, the PICC length ranges from 18 to 29 inches (45-72 cm) with the tip residing in the superior vena cava (SVC) (Fig. 15-6). Placement of the catheter tip in veins distal to the SVC is avoided. This inappropriate tip location, often called a mid-clavicular catheter, is associated with much higher rates of thrombosis than when the tip is located in the SVC. Mid-clavicular tip locations are used only when anatomic or pathophysiologic changes prohibit placing the catheter into the SVC.

FIG. 15-6 Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is placed peripherally in a vein of the upper arm with the tip resting in the superior vena cava.

PICCs should be inserted early in the course of therapy before veins of the extremity have been damaged from multiple venipunctures and infusions. Insertion methods using guidewires and ultrasound systems greatly improve insertion success. The basilic vein is the preferred site for insertion; the cephalic vein can be used if necessary. Sterile technique is used for insertion to reduce the risk for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs). Before the catheter can be used for infusion, a chest x-ray indicating that the tip resides in the lower SVC is required when the catheter is not placed under fluoroscopy.

PICCs are available in single-, dual-, or triple-lumen configurations and are available with both the Groshong valve and the pressure-activated safety valve (PASV). PICCs are also available as “Power PICCs” and can be used for contrast injection at a maximum of 5 mL/sec and a maximum pressure of 300 psi. They can also be connected to transducers and used to monitor central venous pressure (Bard Access Systems, 2011).

The most common complications from PICCs include phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, and CR-BSIs. Thrombophlebitis can be very serious and threatens the integrity of the vein. CR-BSI has been noted to be less frequent in PICCs than in other central venous catheters (CVCs) because of the insertion site in the upper extremity. The cooler, drier skin of the upper arm has fewer types and numbers of microorganisms, leading to lower rates of infection. Accidental arterial puncture or excessive bleeding can occur on insertion and is controlled by direct pressure. Infiltration and extravasation are rare. Insertion complications such as pneumothorax associated with other CVCs do not occur with PICCs.

PICCs can accommodate infusion of all types of therapy because the tip resides in the SVC where the rapid blood flow quickly dilutes the fluids being infused. Therefore there are no limitations on the pH or osmolality of fluids that can be infused through a PICC. For example, patients requiring lengthy courses of antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, parenteral nutrition formulas, and vasopressor agents can benefit from this type of catheter. PICCs have been reported to dwell successfully for months or even years; however, the optimal dwell time is not known.

PICCs can be used for blood sampling; however, lumen sizes of 4 Fr or larger are recommended. Using lumens with small diameters may not yield a sample capable of producing the needed test results. Transfusion of blood through a PICC usually requires the use of an infusion pump. Packed red blood cells are cold and viscous. The length of the catheter adds resistance and may prevent the blood from infusing within the 4-hour limit.

Teach patients with a PICC to perform usual ADLs; however, they should avoid excessive physical activity. Muscle contractions in the arm from physical activity like heavy lifting can lead to catheter dislodgment and possible lumen occlusion. PICCs may be contraindicated in paraplegic patients who rely on their arms for mobility.

PICC insertion is commonly performed in the patient’s hospital room, an outpatient treatment facility, or the imaging department. Regardless of where they are inserted, the same precautions must be taken as with any other central line insertion using the catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) prevention bundle. Major components of this prevention bundle include:

• Hand hygiene

• Maximal barrier precautions upon insertion

• Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis

• Optimal catheter site selection and post-placement care with avoidance of the femoral vein for central venous access in adult patients

• Daily review of line necessity with prompt removal of unnecessary lines

Nursing Safety Priority

Action Alert

The INS recommendation for flushing PICC lines not actively used is 5 mL of heparin (10 units/mL) in a 10-mL syringe at least daily. Ten mL of sterile saline is used to flush before and after medication administration, and 20 mL of sterile saline is flushed after drawing blood. Always use 10-mL barrel syringes to flush any central line because the pressure exerted by a smaller barrel poses a risk for rupturing the catheter.

Nontunneled Percutaneous Central Venous Catheters

Nontunneled percutaneous central venous catheters (CVCs) are inserted by a physician through the subclavian vein in the upper chest or the internal jugular veins in the neck using sterile technique. Occasionally the patient’s condition may require insertion of the CVC in a femoral vein, but the rate of infection is very high. If the femoral site must be used, it is removed as soon as possible.

CVCs are usually 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm) long and have one to as many as five lumens (Fig. 15-7). These catheters are also available with antimicrobial coatings such as chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine. The tip resides in the superior vena cava (SVC) and is confirmed by a chest x-ray. Nontunneled percutaneous CVCs are most commonly used for emergent or trauma situations, critical care, and surgery. There is no recommendation for optimal dwell time. However, these catheters are commonly used for short-term situations and are not the catheter of choice for home care or ambulatory clinic settings.