Unit 2: Acute Care, Common Lines Equipment Flashcards
Bladder Equipment
Foley Catheter
Foley Catheter (Bladder Equipment)
-A flexible plastic tube used to drain the
urinary bladder.
-Implications for therapy: Be careful not to dislodge during mobility; Ideally, keep drainage bag below level of bladder; Keep tubing off the floor to reduce infection risk.
Feeding Equipment/ Nutrition
-Nasogastric (NG) Tube
-Gastostomy Tube (G-Tube)
Nasogastric (NG) Tube (Feeding Equipment/ Nutrition)
A tube inserted through the nose into the stomach to provide liquids, food, or medicine.
-Implications for therapy: Often secured with tape on the nose; Can dislodge if pulled. Take care during mobility.
Gastostomy Tube (G-Tube) (Feeding Equipment/ Nutrition)
-A tube inserted into a surgical opening into the stomach to introduce liquids, food, or medication when patient is unable to take these substances by mouth.
-Often more secure and more permanent than an NG tube.
-Implications for therapy: Risk for infection after placement.; Be aware of any abnormal redness, swelling or irritation; Be aware of where tube is during mobility so it does not get pulled.
Peripheral Inter-venous Line (IV)
-Catheter inserted into a vein to administer medication and/or fluids.
-Implications for therapy: Be careful not to pull during mobility; Notify staff if IV pump is beeping; Sometimes the patient can be disconnected for mobility. This depends on what medications/fluids are being administered; Be aware that flexion of that part of the body (i.e. wrist or elbow) may be uncomfortable
Arterial Line (A-line)
-A very thin tube (catheter) is inserted into one of the patient’s arteries (usually in the arm).
-Allows for direct measurement of the blood pressure and the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
-Transducer must be level w R atrium for accurate reading.
-Sometimes used for frequent blood draws.
-Typically inserted into the radial, brachial, femoral,
or dorsalis pedis artery.
-Implications for therapy: Discuss with the team if placed femorally; If this line becomes dislodged, excessive bleeding will occur. Apply pressure immediately.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line)
• Special IV used to deliver medications or nutrients directly to larger veins. Often used when IV access is required of a long period of time.
• Inserted peripherally.
• Implications for therapy: Avoid taking blood pressure on that arm; Observe patient for edema, erythema, or tenderness as this can indicate a clot formation; This is a more permanent line and patient
can be sent home with PICC line; No restrictions with ROM or participation in therapy.
Central Venous Catheter
• Special IV used to deliver medications or nutrients directly to larger veins. Often used when IV access is required of a long period of time.
• Inserted centrally- subclavian, jugular, groin.
Dialysis Catheter
-Specialized central catheter in subclavian or jugular vein used for dialysis only.
-Inserted centrally- subclavian, jugular, groin.
-Implications for therapy: Therapy is typically differed during intermittent dialysis in the hospital.
Nerve Block
-Anesthetic delivered locally to control pain.
-Line is inserted locally with a pump control.
-Implications for therapy: May cause sensory and or motor loss in affected distribution, must assess prior to treatment; Be sure to secure pump during session and do not pull.
Jackson-Pratt Drain
• Also known as JP drain or bulb drain. May be used after surgery to help drain fluid from the surgical area using negative suction created by the bulb design. To create suction, bulb must be pressed flat prior to putting the cap on the bulb.
-Implications for therapy: Best to secure these prior to session (ex. safety pin to gown).If these accidently get underneath patient (i.e. if patient sits on them) they can burst.
Chest Tube
• Tube inserted into the chest between the lung and ribs to remove fluid or air from the pleural space & allow the lungs to fully expand.
• Commonly seen after cardiac surgery.
• Implications for therapy: Patients may complain of pain due to chest tube insertions; Ensure the pluer-evac always remains upright to ensure proper monitoring; Always keep drainage system below level of insertion.
Wound Vac
-Device that uses negative pressure to promote perfusion and healing to a wound. Removes fluid and infectious waste.
-Commonly seen in trauma injuries, some abdominal procedures, slow-healing wounds, pressure ulcers, or PVD.
-Implications for therapy: Runs off direct electricity or battery power; Typically portable but be aware of battery level.
Telemetry & Monitoring Vitals
• Cardiac Telemetry: 5-12 leads placed to patients trunk to
transmit heart rhythm and rate.
• Cardiac Monitor: Displays current vitals.; At a minimum will display HR, BP, RR, and O2 Sat.
• Pulse Oximeter: Indirectly measures amount of oxygen in a patient’s blood.
