How is a piece of plastic IV catheter left in arm detected and removed?!
Question:
How is a piece of plastic IV catheter left in arm detected and removed?
After a recent hospital stay, when the IV was removed, it looked as though the piece that came out was much too short (20 gauge cath was used). Now I have a knot and bruise-like pain just above the IV site. How can this be detected and removed if it is the case. Not anxious to have another hospital stay anytime soon... Thanks
Answers:
The length of IV catheters vary and has nothing to do with the gauge of the catheter. Some are as short as .5 inch. When nurses remove the IV, they have to check and document that the catheter was intact when removed. A sheared catheter is a medical emergency and has to be dealt with immediately. Your symptoms sound like normal venous irritation of the IV site. Hope this helps you. If you're concerned, have your doctor check it out.