Canula Or Cannula

Question: When inserting an IV can the cannula be facing in the opposite direction of the heart? For example if you inserted and IV in the forearn can the cannula be pointing towards the wrist/hand?

Answer: No. The flow of blood in the venous system flows toward the core of the body. If the cannula is reversed you risk causing vein damage and severe discomfort and pain to the patient. Also, you want the medication you give to the patient to get back to the core of the body and go through the organs like the liver or kidneys to be metabolized and used by the body.

Question: What does saline do when they inject a small amount into a newly inserted cannula? When i had a cannula the other day, they injected a small amount of saline into it. What does it do? I'm curious! :-) Why does the blood clot if you don't flush it through with some saline?

Answer: It is simply used to flush through the cannula. If you leave blood in it it will clot.

Question: Nurses: Which way is the nasal cannula supposed to go in? My text book says "Nasal cannula (prongs) are positioned so they curve towards the nares and oxygen is directed upward into the nose." I don't know if that means the prongs curve towards the body or away from the body. Which way is the "correct" direction to have the prongs curving? Curving towards or away from the body? I have a prac exam on Tuesday, so won't have time to ask the tutor again before then. Thank you for your help.

Answer: The prongs curve toward the body.

Question: How do you remove a Cannula? I had an operation today and i got a cannula put in my left hand. I left the hospital and the nurse forgot to remove it! If i want to remove it, do i just take off the plastic and pull it out very slowly? I really need instructions. I have seen it done, but i want to be sure. Oh and please dont suggest going back to the hospital - its a long drive and the nurse said i could do it myself. Please help!

Answer: Are you talking about your IV cannula? Get a piece of gauze or a band-aid ready, untape the IV pull it out and put the gauze or band-aid on it, hold pressure for at least a minute- more if your a bleeder or had anti-coagulant therapy in the hospital (heparin or lovenox)- 5 min max and it shouldn't bleed anymore. Look at the "cannula"- it should be shaped kind of like a quill tipped pen. If it doesn't have that little taper to the end of it- save it, because it can mean that a little piece of it broke off- I have never heard of it happening, but that is what they teach the nurses to do, and they have to document it to that fact- that the cathalon was intact. Tomorrow- call the hospital and tell them that the didn't DC your IV- this is totally inappropriate! Oh, and wash your hands before starting this procedure :)

Question: why have i got a blue abnormal lump on my cannula site? I had surgery last tuesday, my cannula came out thursday, there's been no bruising, no swelling or anything until today. i looked at my hand and from nowhere i have a blue lump under my skin at the cannula site.it doesn't bother me or hurt until i press it. it just looks weird and im a bit worried it might be a clot and if it is do i need to see a doctor or will it just go away?

Answer: You need to go to the doctors with this and fairly quickly. I'm not from a medical background but I have experience of infection from a cannula site. Lumps from a cannula may be caused from an infection and inflammation in your vein which if not treated can cause serious problems. Have you any other symptoms like weeping or redness? Could simply be a bruise but be on the safe side and go back to doctor.

Question: My cat had an operation yesterday is it safe to remove the bandage covering the cannula hole? Will it get infected? The bandage made his foot swell up when we got him home and the vest said to remove it but im worried it might get infected? Also as he has to stay in for the next 10 days or untill he has the stitches out does anyone have any ideas of how i can entertain him as he seems sad and rejected now!

Answer: Take it off! These bandages aren't supposed to stay on for more than an hour - they are PRESSURE BANDAGES, they're not for stopping infection, the hole has long since close up. Your vet wasn't telling you to take it off for a laugh - he told you because it's IMPORTANT, you're compromising your cat's circulation by leaving it on so long. Honestly, the swelling should've given you a clue! Take the bandage off NOW and in future, do as your vet tells you. Chalice

Question: Does a nasal cannula irritate the nose? My mother has a nasal cannula delivering 2 Liters of O2. Occasionally her nose will bleed (however small) when she blows her nose. Can the cannula be irritating her nasal passages? If so, what can she use to soothe her nose?

Answer: There are 2 different things that could be happening. The cannula itself could be irritating, in which case lotion, like others have mentioned, may help. Additionally, the nasal passages themselves could be irritated. This could be from either the cannula or dry O2. She can ask her doctor for moist O2 instead. In the meantime, either way, there is a product called Little Noses that has a gel for moisturizing the nasal passages. It is commonly used for babies, so it may be in the baby care aisle or the pharmacy section of stores like Target and Walmart. I suggest that you call various stores and ask specifically if they carry Little Noses Nasal Moisturizing Gel. When you find it (maybe even contact Little Noses for a retailer near you if you can;t find one otherwise), use a Q-tip (or similar device) and apply it gently to the inside of the nostrils. If you cannot find it, then aloe gel is fine, it just may feel funny as it dries. This is common and it was smart to ask rather than just make your mom go through this.

Question: What specific equipment is required to transport a patient using a nasal cannula at 3 Lpm? The patient must go to x-ray in a wheel chair...what all do I need to transport this patient

Answer: O2 tank and make sure you bring the nasal cannula with you. Be sure to check the levels in the tank before you grab it and know how to turn it on before you go into the room.

Question: What is the oxygen percent in 1 L nasal cannula? I know air is something around 21% oxygen, so I am curious what 1L nasal cannula is? Thanks :)

Answer: 24% is the oxygen percent in 1 L/minute.

Question: when using oxygen cannula do the prong go up or down into nose? the cannula istructions say insert prongs in nose, but with prong with curved tip do they go in tip up or down?

Answer: I asked the same question about a year ago.....How funny..... You want the two tips to face down. I don't use the cannulas with the tab on them. I don't like those. I tried every which way to figure that out. I tried both ways. Then it must have been the week end because I couldn't call anyone at the doctor's office & ask. I thought afterwards I could have called the ER at the hospital. They would have told me. You know you should change the cannula every week? And change the rest of your cord going to the oxygen every 5 or 6 weeks.

Question: hi tracheostomy care what is the new way to clean the inner cannula for eg hot soapy water? i have just started a new role as a tracheostomy nurse and there seem to be no clear direction in cleaning the tracheostomy inner cannula from the reseach i am really confused i need good data thanks

Answer: My daughter has a trach but hers does not have an inner cannula. But I do belong to a wonderful website with great info about that so I am leaving you a link. It even has drawings to show you how to clean. Its a pdf file and the info you are looking for starts on page 4. Hope that helps. If you want to contact me on trachs I would be more than happy to answer any future ?'s you have.

Question: Where can I buy a nasal cannula from? Do pharmacys in the uk sell nasal cannula's as i am looking to buy one for a school science project. I dont trust internet sites so i want to avoid using them if possible

Answer: Why not contact your doctor's surgery. I'm sure, if you tell them why you want one. the practice nurse will help you out. x

Question: How can we stop the humidity in an oxygen compressor from forming drops of water that come out the cannula? We're using oxygen at home for a disabled relative, the machine is set at 2 and we keep the water in the humidifier part between the minimum and maximum fill lines. I don't want her to get pneumonia from the amount of water that drips through while she sleeps. If we don't remove the airline tubing and blow it out every other day, there is considerable build up.

Answer: Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to keep the moisture from forming in the O2 tubing. The humidifier is going to put moisture into the oxygen. As the air travels through the cooler tubing, it forms water (similar to a dew point effect). Even if you heat the air with a humidifier, it will still form water in the lines. She is not going to get pneumonia from the water in the tubing while she sleeps. It may run into her nostril area, but it isn't going to go into her lungs. The air she is breathing has more moisture in it than that and it doesn't cause pneumonia. The only thing you can do is clean the moisture out daily (or disconnect the humidifier).

Question: Why would fluid accumulate in a nasal cannula? It is attached to a concentrator. The bottle and filter is changed regularly.

Answer: If there is no humidification device it could be condensation. The flow of gas through the tubing is warmer or colder the the air outside. Causing a build up of water.

Question: is it normal for your hand to swell after having a cannula in? ok so long story cut short. im 36weeks pregnant, got low iron, been having iron infusions, which is getting put on an iron drip twice a week for about an hour. today the midwife was a student midwife, didn't have a clue what she was doing, really hurt my poor little hand :-( now its all fat and it really hurts to move it, even if i just move my arm i feel alot of pressure on my hand. is this normal?

Answer: The cannula may not have been in the vein but into the tissue. Then when your infusion was put through it went into the fleshy part of your hand instead. It will be absorbed eventually but this should not have happened.

Question: Is a nasal cannula properly inserted into the nostrils when the prongs are turned up or down?

Answer: down

Question: Oxygen user question: How often do you change your nasal cannula? That is the part that goes inside your nostrils while you are on your oxygen. I don't mean the piece that goes to the nebulizer, I mean the nostril tubes.

Answer: You should change the nasal cannula once a month.

Question: Is there any type of gurad for Oxygen Tubing/ OVER-THE-EAR NASAL CANNULA that goes into the nose? I have a loved one that develops sores in her nose while wearing a oxygen tube/ OVER-THE-EAR NASAL CANNULA that goes into her nose. I would like for her to get something that will prevent sores and irritation. Any help would be great.

Answer: I tried to help find an answer but I didn't have much luck. If he/she has the curved prongs on the cannula, they should be pointing down to follow the curve of the nose. Just in case you didn't know. This EHow has some tips for avoiding sores, but it's more focused on the ears... but maybe useful info for your loved one still.. http://www.ehow.com/how_2083661_wear-nas… This is a product that came up from a google search. It says it's good for "relieves discomfort from nasal cannula and BiPAP/CPAP use." It says the product has aloe in it. You might get a similar benefit from just using a moisturizer in the nose. http://www.vitalitymedical.com/Product/B… My last attempt at helping would be to call a Home Medical Equipment/Durable Medical Equipment sales place and ask them for some tips. I would imagine they've had similar complaints before and might know some products that might be helpful. If you can't find a number in the phone book, a call to any pharmacy in the area should be able to help you out with finding a number. Good luck

Question: Will a cannula still hurt if they put on local anesthetic? You know, that numbing cream if you don't like shots. I'm referring to blood tests by the way. I'm getting a cannula - will it still hurt if they put on a local anesthetic? Will they do this if I ask them to? Thanks. x

Answer: the local anesthetic burns more that the stick will hurt if you just sit still and let them do it

Question: I had a blood oxygen test done with a cannula machine, and my doctor told me to keep using the machine because? my blood oxygen levels got to 53, isn't this really bad? I mean should something else be done besides just use the cannula breathing machine or is this sufficient? What can happen to me with blood oxygen being 53 when I sleep. It's fine when I'm awake. It's 98 when awake.

Answer: If your oxygen level went up to normal while sleeping (and using the cannula), that's enough.