fingerstick on mastectomy pt!

[janetrette]

is it true that no fingerstick to the finger of a mastectomy pt? [1side of the breast cut off]

i know that no B/P nor IV but what about FS???

:balloons:

just wanted to confirm!

[michelle95]

I've never heard of this...but I could have NOT been paying attention.

Maybe someone else can answer this.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

I have heard of this. The rationale was increased risk of infection but I don't know if this has been validated.

[prmenrs, RN]

I think it might have to do w/impaired lymphatic flow--sometimes after a radical mastectomy, there is poor lymphatic drainage in the arm on the side of the surgery. My mother had a double mastectomy, but only the right side was a radical. Her right arm is always bigger than her left (it is now ~ 30 years after the surgery); it gets worse when she neglects to elevate it periodically. It's not hugely swollen, I notice it because I see her a lot. So, if you think all that thru, a swollen arm might make it harder to take an accurate BP, or to fight off infection from a break in the skin.

Just a theory, not like I read it in a text...

[Rebel_Kitty]

hey guys i know this is an old thread but ill still give it a shot...my question is how about heparin shot on the affected arm (the side where the mastectomy was done)? Has anybody seen a complication happen because of subcutaneous heparin injection on the 'mastectomy side'?

[jesskalpn]

Heparin injections are only given in the abdomen.