FYI - to cuff or not to cuff..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

i just have to say.. and it may be out there on alllnurses.. but.. just remember, if you have someone with an art line and also doing cuff pressures, and someone is on pressors, with a big discrepency between the two, the question always arises 'which one are we following?' - whatever the one, GET AN ORDER of which ever one to follow.. this will definitely bite you in the end should there be litigation... you have a cuff of SBP 130 and an ABP of 190, and ur treating the cuff, without an order.. YOU are liable.. just remember.. GET an ORDER..

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Specializes in Newborn ICU, Trauma ICU, Burn ICU, Peds.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

And do a squarewave test and document it's accuracy. I hate it when the docs want us to follow whatever number they like best. If my a-line says it is or isn't accurate, I'm following whichever of the two is right.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU, SICU, Transplant.

At my place, we correlate the Aline with the NIBP and we also physically listen for a cuff pressure. Go with what correlates to the cuff (if possible) and with what correlates with the pt's clinical picture and assessment.

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my experience has taught me to trust the art line IF you perform a square wave form test, and it looks reliable

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Don't forget to rezero that line first before you make a big stink of things and look like a goofball.

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Thanks for that information regarding getting the order. Primarily I normally test the aline for the square line, look at the waveform and always zero the line. I also prefer to place the transducer on the patients arm so that it can always stay in alignment regardless if a tech moves the bed up or down. My patients are normally sedated so they aren't moving their extremeties.

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