Cannulated an artery

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Had a tricky AC IV. Was pretty sure I was palpating a vein-did not get in, so I did a little fishing. Got in, and got a great flash, though not in retrospect, not where I had originally intended. Hook my line up to gravity, and get a couple inches of pulsing blood. DOH!

Never did that before.

hherrn

Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Ive done it a few times actually.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Step-Down, and ER.

I just remembered my 2nd semester of nursing school. During our IV sessions, my partner (NOW WIFE) had a field day practicing IVs in me. Obviously, I was being sweet and told her that she can practice on me as many times as she'd like. Boy did I regret saying that. After 3 days I could had easily been assessed as a DRUG USER!!!!

Anyhow, she got one in an artery once. We didn't know after until she dc'd the cannula and blood was squirting out of my arm with every heart beat. On top of that, she dropped the gauze and had to get a new one, so my arm was basically squirting for about 10-15 seconds every second or so.

Ahhhhhh I miss those days...

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Specializes in Adult Cardiac surgical.

I have did it more than once. In the NICU I was using a transilluminator and cannulated a brachial artery. And, also in an adult. It happens, usually it is pretty obvious when you hit an artery!

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Specializes in tele, oncology.

I've never done it w/an IV, but I have a few times with lab draws. Technically, we're not supposed to do art sticks on our floor, but if they're a REALLY hard stick and you've gotta get the blood, and the needle slides just a bit...well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Those tubes sure fill up fast when you hit an artery!

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Peds, ER.

One of my coworkers were helping me out one day and started an IV in a difficult stick pt... just a saline lock..

So it wasn't until I was DC'ing the IV upon discharging the pt that I realized my coworker had hit an artery! I pulled out the cannula and blood squirted all over the pt's sheets!

I had an "oh sh*t" moment as I realized my little 2x2 guaze wasn't gonna cut it...

In hindsight, the pt was lucky we didn't end up having to push any meds through it...

Anyone ever pushed meds thru an art line?

I just know its a big no-no

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

Yeah it happens that's for sure, I'd say get some blood while you are there, but be sure to d/c the line and apply pressure like everyone else said.

Or you could always hook up a pressure bag and then..

*DOH* bad nurse, bad nurse :banghead:

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