Central Lines

Question 1

Why would you insert a venous line?

Answer 1

• to measure central venous pressure
• to administer drugs that would damage smaller caliber veins
• need to obtain venous access in patient whose peripheral veins have shut down
• administer high flow fluids
• ease of administering products in a patient likely to need IV access for several days

Question 2

What are the sites of central line insertion?

Answer 2

• internal jugular vein
• subclavian vein

less commonly:

• femoral vein
• external jugular vein

Question 3

Low CVP

Answer 3

• venous return to heart less than it should be
• hypovolemic shock
• dehydraton

Question 4

High CVP

Answer 4

• right heart failure

Question 5

Common complications of central lines

Answer 5

• puncture apex of lung superior to clavicle causing pneumothorax
• puncture major vessel and the lung causing a haemothorax
• damage to thoracic duct
• introducting air into circulation causing air embolism
• un-sterile conditions leading to infection entering blood vessel