Drawing ABG's

You might want to go to the student nursing forum instead. Might get more/some feedback. What year did you learn ABG's? :)

Dont worry- its very simple. Your hospital policy and procedure should walk you through it. Just make sure you assess (and document) collateral ciruculation first (Allen's Test- you have to occlude radial and ulnar pulses to do it). Although when i do it, the intensivist I work with tells me that is silly (no literature to support a decrease in complications by doing this) and we dont even do it for an Art line insertion.

Hey Everyone....You guys have been so helpful in the past that I thought I'd post yet another question!

I recently re-located to a new area and I'm working in a new ER. This is only my second job as an ER nurse, as I graduated from school in 2002.

The ER I used to work at did not require us to draw ABG's, as respiratory did this. However, my new ER requires ABG draws....

Does anyone have a good website that teaches you how to draw? Any hints or tips for someone who hasn't done it before?

Thanks so much!

Well if its a new skill for you, someone at the facility should be training you on the procedure. I know for one it wasnt one we learned in nursing school. Certain skills need compentency documented for JACHO as well. Im not sure if this is one but as a nurse who has been in a few ER's it seems that portion of orientation gets longer every time.

RJ