Central Line Pediatric

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Central Line, Pediatric

A central line is a soft, flexible tube (catheter) that is used to give medicine or nutrition through a person’s veins. The tip of the central line ends in a large vein (vena cava) just above the person’s heart. Medicine given through the central line is quickly mixed with blood because the blood flow within this large vein is so great. This dilutes the medicine so it is swiftly delivered throughout the body.

A central line may be placed if:

A child needs long-term fluids or IV medicines, such as antibiotics.

A child needs nutrition delivered through a central line.

A child needs to have blood taken often for lab tests.

A child needs a blood transfusion.

A child needs chemotherapy.

TYPES OF …show more content…

This type of central line is inserted into a vein in the arm or scalp. A PICC looks like a regular IV but has a catheter that goes up the arm to the heart. The end of the catheter is outside the skin and can be used to give fluids or medicines and to draw blood. The PICC is taped in place on the arm, and the insertion site is covered with a bandage (dressing) to keep it clean and dry.

Tunneled venous catheter line. This type of central line is placed in a large vein in your child's neck, chest, or groin. A small incision is made over the vein and the catheter is advanced into the heart. This type of catheter is tunneled beneath the skin and brought out through a second incision. Both incisions are closed with a stitch (suture), tape, or skin glue. A dressing is placed over the incision where the catheter comes out through the …show more content…

These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.

Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:

More redness, swelling, or pain.

More fluid or blood.

Warmth.

Pus or a bad smell.

Flushing and cleaning the catheter

Follow the health care provider's instructions about flushing and cleaning the catheter.

Before you flush or clean the catheter, wash your hands with soap and water.

When flushing or cleaning the catheter, put on a mask and have your child put on a mask.

Medicine

If your child has an implanted catheter, keep the incision areas dry until your child’s health care provider says it is safe to resume bathing and swimming. Most incisions need to be kept dry for at least 24 hours.

Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.

General instructions

Follow the health care provider’s specific instructions for the type of device that your child has.

If your child has a PICC or tunneled catheter, do not let your child take baths or

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