Arterial Pressure LinePreparation, Set-up & Placement

Objectives

Assembly of the necessary supplies for building the arterial line pressure monitoring system.

Identify the necessary equipment for arterial line monitoring.

Proper calibration of the pressure monitoring kit.

Assembly of the necessary supplies for arterial line placement by the physician.

Why an arterial line?

An arterial line is most commonly used in intensive care medicine and anesthesia.

Allows for monitoring blood pressure directly, continuously and in real-time.

Allows for quick access to obtain samples for arterial blood gas analysis.

Supplies for line preparation

Double Transducer Kit

Single Transducer Kit

1000mL bag Sodium Chloride (NS)

1000mL Pressure Bag

Additional supplies and equipment

Arterial Line Caddy

Transducer Holder

Transducer Interface Cable

Assembling the Pressure Monitoring Set

Wash hands before beginning set-up.

Wear exam gloves and face mask when handling, flushing and setting up tubing – maintaining aseptic technique throughout the assembly process.

Double check all fittings and connections for tightness and correct seal.

Double check the IV bag, tubing and the blood sampling chamber to ensure that all air bubbles have been removed from the system.

Connecting the monitoring system and calibrating the transducer

Plug the transducer cable into the transducer module on the monitor.

The transducer module is part of the MMS as well as a stand alone module

Plug the other end of the cable into the pressure monitoring set.

A new wave form should appear on the monitor.

Troubleshooting: verify that the appropriate module is “on”. Also verify that the monitor is set to “4Wv/1Press”

When using a double transducer verify that the monitor is set to “4Wv/2Press”

When calibrating: the transducer stopcock should be off to the patient (up) and the cap removed. Using the monitor functions zero the transducer.

Assembling the arterial line placement field

Armboard with tape

Chloraprep

4x4’s (non-sterile)

20GA Radial Catheter Set

.018 Guidewire with 20GA Angiocath

I.V. Tegaderm with tape

Arterial Pressure LineObjectivesWhy an arterial line?Supplies for line preparationAdditional supplies and equipmentAssembling the Pressure Monitoring SetConnecting the monitoring system and calibrating the transducerAssembling the arterial line placement field