What is a heparin or saline lock?

Answer by  primatefreak (1616)

Both are used in intravenous therapy. They are devices used to administer medication and flush IV line with Heparin(anit-coagulant) and saline (sodium chloride).

Answer by  Travis404607 (3916)

Heparin is a blood-thinning medication which is typically administered via an IV. This medication is used to dissolve blood clots. A "saline lock" is a term used to refer to an IV which is locked and the bag is only filled with saline. This keeps an IV site usable.

Answer by  nursepractitionerlisa (793)

It is a small IV plug that stays in the arm, and a little bit of saline or heparin keeps it patent between doses of meds.

Answer by  banti (11)

A hep lock is a way to give you IV meds......It is inserted in the back of your hand and after the initial pick, you won't feel it. I would recommend it...it is the fastest way to get pain meds into your system and TRUST me childbirth HURTS

Answer by  RRGKK (412)

A heparin or saline lock is a piece of an IV tubing assembly. It is located toward the end of the tubing which goes into the vein of the patient and is a one-way valve where substances to clear the tube in th vein and prevent clots from forming.