How to Use a Femoral Line for IV Therapy
A femoral line, or central line through the femoral artery access point, is a medical procedure used as a last resort for IV therapy. Because this area of the body is exposed to so many bacterial substances, the CDC has advised that it be used minimally and suggests looking for an exterior line. Sterility is the key to success when using a femoral line for IV therapy.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Povidone iodine solution
- Gauze
- Central line kit (1, 2, 3, 4 lumen central line or cordis)
- Tape and/or Steri-strips
- Opsite or Tegaderm cover dressing
- Local anesthetic (1% or 2% lidocaine, lidocaine cream)
- Suture material for securing line (2.0 silk)
- Scissors and/or scalpel
- Benzoin solution
- Sterile drape, gown, gloves
- 1L bag of 0.9% Normal saline
Instructions
-
-
1
Inform the patient about what you are going to do and advise about the risks, including infection and bleeding. Always obtain signed consent for the procedure from the patient or guardian.
-
2
Lay the patient flat on his back with legs spread apart to allow optimal access to the artery.
-
-
3
Review the vein's location from the previously completed ultrasound.
-
4
Wash your hands and put on sterile gloves, mask, gown and hat. Wash the insertion area with povidone iodine solution.
-
5
Drape the patient and administer the local anesthetic.
-
6
Test the IV lines by flushing them with sterile solution before beginning.
-
7
Insert the finder needle into the skin and locate the vein. Aspirate the blood once you enter the vein and insert the larger hollow needle.
-
8
Aspirate any blood and detach the needle from its syringe.
-
9
Insert the guide wire through the needle and thread the wire as far as possible up into the vein. Stop as soon as you feel any resistance.
-
10
Remove the needle while holding the guide wire in position.
-
11
Nick the skin around the guide wire with a scalpel and insert the dilator, twisting during insertion to pass into the skin.
-
12
Remove the dilator once you have passed the skin's cutaneous and subcutaneous layers and insert the catheter, inserting it around the guide wire and pushing the guide wire through one of the ports.
-
13
Remove the guide wire and aspirate some blood to make sure the catheter is in position.
-
14
Flush the ports and secure the line with sutures. Cover the line with a sterile dressing and secure the catheter along the leg with tape.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit patient's arm prepped for iv drip image by nextrecord from Fotolia.com
