BP arm VS calf while running pressors

[anarchy187]

I had a recent pt that I had running on a vasopressor over days while getting pressures using the arm as my reference. Then the night shift nurse uses the calf pressure and states "It gave me higher pressure so I stopped the vasopressors." During my shift I changed the cuff back to the arm when the pressure was around 90 on the leg, and then when measured 76 on the L arm and 68 on R arm. I talked to my charge and the docter and they said continue the pressors, but make sure it checks out on a manual cuff (which it did). When the new nurse comes back on shift they chew me out, saying it doesn't matter that the arm is lower the leg is higher. And says this in front of other coworkers and makes me look like a moron. Do you think I was right? As a reference here is the AACNs opinion on noninvasive BP monitoring. http://www.aacn.org/WD/Practice/Docs/PracticeAlerts/NIBP%20Monitoring%2004-2010%20final.pdf Tell me what you think!

[justatraveler]

Arteriel lines are a must if the patient requires inotropika/pressors. It's a non-issue at my facility. There can be major discrepancies betweein invasive BT and NIBT.