Question

The nurse is providing care to a client who has a Groshong catheter inserted. When irrigating the catheter, the nurse would use which solution?

a) 5% dextrose
b) Diluted heparin
c) Normal saline
d) Sterile water

Answer 1

The nurse would use an isotonic solution of normal saline to irrigate a Groshong catheter. This choice prevents cell damage, which can occur with hypotonic or hypertonic solutions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would use normal saline to irrigate a Groshong catheter. Solutions used to irrigate catheters should be isotonic to prevent cell damage. Normal saline, which is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, is isotonic and therefore will not cause harm to the cells, unlike a hypotonic solution like water or a hypertonic solution with high concentration. When administering fluids intravenously to dehydrated patients, isotonic solutions such as normal saline are typically used to maintain the balance of electrolytes within the body and prevent damage to the cells, as highlighted in LibreTexts. Using a solution like 5% dextrose, which is also isotonic, might be suitable for some applications but not for catheter irrigation where normal saline is the standard.