Safety and Precautions: Arterial Lines and stuff

Question 1

What is a Hickman Catheter?

Answer 1

Central line tunneled under the skin.

• used for providing antibiotics, nutrition, and blood samples
• Chemotherapy
• Stem Cells Transplants

AKA: Central Line Caterer

Question 2

What is a Swanz Ganz Catheter?

Answer 2

Balloon flotation device inserted through the internal jugular vein or femoral vein to the pulmonary artery.

• used to monitor blood flow, pressures and function of the heart

Question 3

What is the function of a Central Venous Pressure Catheter?

Answer 3

Measures blood pressure directly from the right atrium and superior vena cava

Question 4

What is the function of an Arterial Line?

Answer 4

Used to provide arterial blood gasses

Question 5

Where should a collection bottle be kept during ambulation for a patient utilizing chest drainage for pleural effusion?

Answer 5

Collection bottle kept below the level of the inserted tube

Question 6

What are Chest Drainage Tubes used for?

Answer 6

Remove air, blood, or purulent matter from the patient’s chest or pleural cavity.

• inserted via a incision in the chest
• connected to a gravity-based or mechanical suction system.

Question 7

What should you do if an arterial line gets dislodged?

Answer 7

Put pressure immediately and call nursing staff.

• this is not something we can just put back

Question 8

For patients with femoral lines what precautions should be taken?

Answer 8

• Repetitive hip flexion, should be avoided
• Hip flexion should be less than 30 degrees

Question 9

What should you do if a chest tube gets dislodged?

Answer 9

1. Have patients exhale
2. Place gauze or gloved hand over the area
3. Call nursing staff