The Teaching Book IV Therapy Catheter Care Changing

catheter care (changing cap/valve)

page 2

4. Twist off the old injection cap/valve, and throw away.

dressing cap/valve

5. Wipe the new injection cap/ valve with the alcohol wipe.

Use friction and allow to dry.

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6. Twist on the new cap/valve.

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clamp

catheter

7. Unclamp the catheter.

8. Take off gloves. Put gloves, alcohol wipe, and old cap/valve in a plastic bag, and throw away.

9. Wash your hands well with an antibacterial soap and dry, or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub.

TRASH

Š Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA From The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.

Catheter care (changing cap/valve) Ask the nurse if the injection cap/valve should be pre-flushed before changing the cap. If so, ask your nurse for instructions.

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Supplies you need: ❏ gloves

❏ clamp

❏ alcohol wipe

❏ new injection cap/valve ❏ plastic trash bag

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1. Wash your hands with an anti-bacterial soap and dry well. Or you may use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not too dirty. Use infection control guidelines.

(Ask the nurse for information on how to do this.)

2. Put on clean gloves.

3. Clamp the catheter. Clean the cap connection area with an alcohol swab.

CAUTION 1 clamp catheter

twist off

2 the injection cap/valve

Always clamp the catheter before changing the cap/valve. If you take the cap/valve off without clamping the catheter first, air and germs can get into the catheter and cause problems. Or blood may come out, causing the catheter to get clogged.

Continued on next page. © Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA From The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.