What Is Compact Catheter Used For?

What is the recommended size of a catheter used on a trauma patient?

• Answer:

  The minimum size you want to use for a trauma patient is a 18g. It takes a minimum of an 18g to hang blood. In the ideal setting, you would want 2 large bore (14g) lines, one in each arm. According to PHTLS standards, you would supplement these lines with lactated ringer's on one, NS on the other (Ringers is the standard for volume replacement, but blood cannot be hung with ringers, so you want an NS 0.9% line as well), this is especially true if your patient is showing the early signs of shock, which according to PHTLS standards you are to consider as "Hypovolemic until proven otherwise". Some patients do not have the veins to support a 16g or a 14g catheter, in these situations you just go with the largest gauge that you think is going to be possible with this particular patient. Don't waste critical time trying to put in a 14g if you know it isn't going to work. You can still push meds in a 20 or 22, that is what is important. If the patient needs blood, chances are the RN is going to start a new line anyways. There are several resources you can consult with regard to IV Therapy that I find to be reputable and well-written.