Non-tunneled Central Lines
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
- A non-tunneled central line is also called a catheter (kath-uh-ter). A catheter is a small flexible plastic tube. The catheter goes into a vein in your neck or near your collarbone. The catheter ends in a vein by your heart. A vein is a tube inside you that carries blood from the body to the heart. Catheters are used to give you medicines and other fluids.
- You may have 1 to 3 small tails (tubes) hanging out from where the catheter was put in. These tails have clamps and caps on them. With a central line, you may have blood taken for tests. Having this line may keep your arm from being stuck many times with a needle. Two examples of non-tunneled central lines include Hohn® catheters and Cook® catheters.
Why do I need a non-tunneled central line? Non-tunneled central lines are used to give you medicines and treatments. They are often put in if you have to give IV medicines to yourself at home. Caregivers may not be able to use smaller veins in your body. In an emergency, a central line gives easy access to your bloodstream, and medicine may work faster. The following are medicines and treatments you may get when you have a non-tunneled central line:
- Blood.
- Chemotherapy (kee-mo-thair-uh-p). This is medicine used to treat cancer.
- Frequent blood sample collection.
- IV medicines.
- Monitoring central venous pressure (CVP). This is a measure of the amount of pressure of blood in your heart.
- Pain medicines.
- Total Parenteral (pair-en-ter-uhl) Nutrition (TPN): This is a special liquid food that goes directly into your vein.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about central lines. You can then discuss choices with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what choices may be best for you. You always have the right to refuse and make your own decisions.
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