What it means
In nursing it most often means clearing an IV catheter, central line or feeding tube with saline or water, before and after giving medicines and at set times, to keep it open and check that it works. As a noun, a flush can also be the fluid used, or a sudden warm redness of the face and neck, as in a hot flush.
For the nurse
Use a 10 mL (or larger) syringe for IV flushes, as policy directs, because small syringes create high pressure. Stop if you feel resistance or the client has pain or swelling at the site.
In a chart
"IV flushed with 10 mL normal saline without resistance."
At a glance
| Also written | flushes |
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Related terms
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.
infusion
The slow delivery of a fluid or drug into the body, usually into a vein, over a period of time.
peripheral IV
A short, thin tube placed in a vein of the arm or hand (or another vein away from the chest) to give fluids and drugs.
flushing
A sudden warm reddening of the skin, usually of the face, neck or chest.