Mod 12 Arterial Line Sampling

Question 1

What are critical elements for 3 way stopcock arterial line sampling

• aka procedure
• 9 steps

Answer 1

1. Check for physician orders
2. Check Pt ID
3. Wash hands
4. Gloves worn
5. Clean injection/sampling port w/alcohol
6. All syringe ends kept clean for procedure
7. Draws 5mls of discard blood w/stopcock off to pressurized system
8. Draw 1-2mls of blood in heparinized blood gas syringe
9. Flush blood from sampling port into collecting syringe
10. Flush the line to the Pt leaving IV open to Pt

Question 1

What equipment is needed for Arterial line collection?

Answer 1

• 500 cc normal saline bag
• 500 Units of sodium heparin
• Med label
• Pressure transducing kit (3way stopcock, VAMP, or VAMP plus)
• Transducer cable
• Monitor
• Gloves

Question 2

General Insertion procedure for Arterial line colllection?

Answer 2

1. Wash hands
2. Put on gloves
3. Inject 500u of heparin into bag of normal saline. Label.
4. Open transducer kit packaging and ensure tightness of all connections
5. Spike bag and hang solution before pressurizing
6. Flush system one section at a time (no bubbles)
7. Replace temp caps w/blue caps ensuring no contamination of ports
8. Pressure system to 300 mmHg
9. level the system to pt phlebostatic axis (right atrium)
10. Connect to monitor w/cable and zero the system

Question 3

Critical elements of procedure for VAMP system Arterial line sampling?

• aka Procedure

Answer 3

Question 4

What should you do Post sampling?

Answer 4

• Record Pt data: HR, SpO2, FiO2, Vent Settings, RR, and BP
• Check monitor alarms and waveforms before leaving
• label sample and place in biohazard bag
• Chart

Question 5

Special considerations for neos/peds?

Answer 5

Use lower volumes for discard, and do not throw away discard volumes (1.25-2)

• Draw, reinfuse, and flush slowly to avoid big changes in BP