PICC — Peripherally
Inserted Central Catheter
IV Devices
The most common way to give
chemotherapy medication for cancer
treatment is by the IV (intravenous)
method. The medication is given directly
into the bloodstream and then sent
throughout the body through a vein.
Your doctor will discuss options for IV
access and develop a plan based on your
treatment schedule.
The most common types of IV access
devices for chemotherapy medication
are the IV catheter, the PICC, and the
implanted port. Medication can be
harsh on veins, which may require an
IV device that stays in a large vein for a
long time.
Your nurse will watch your IV
chemotherapy closely. The nurse will
check your catheter for a blood return to
make certain it is in a vein. It should not
burn or hurt during your treatment. Tell
your nurse if you have pain or burning
while you are getting treatments.
A PICC is a long, thin, hollow, fl exible
tube. It is inserted by a specially trained
nurse or doctor into a vein above the
bend of the arm. An X-ray is taken to
make sure the PICC is in the correct
place. The end of the catheter rests in a
large vein above the heart. The other end
of the PICC exits the arm. This is where
medication is given and blood samples
are drawn.
collar bone
vein leading
into heart
heart
exit site
connection site
IV Catheter
• A PICC can stay in place for months.
• The PICC can be used to give
chemotherapy and, in some cases, to
collect blood samples.
• People with PICCs may perform
normal, daily activities but should
avoid activities with a lot of arm
movement, such as swimming,
golfi ng, or digging in a garden.
An IV catheter is a small, hollow, fl exible
plastic tube that is put into the hand or
forearm. A hollow metal needle with
plastic wings called a “butterfl y” may be
used for drawing blood samples and, in
a few cases, giving chemotherapy.
• An IV catheter is usually placed by
a nurse on the day of treatment and
removed right after chemotherapy is
fi nished.
• It is meant to be a short-term IV
device, so it can stay in place for no
more than 4 days.
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