IV infusion through the Arterial Line

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2009

What was it? That's a big hell no from this ICU RN.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jan 20, 2009

i've never used an a-line to administer anything... last time i checked it was definately not ok. were they unable to get an IV access? even in an emergency... IO is the only way i'd go if i couldn't get an IV access and there was not an MD to place a central line....

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 20, 2009

I've seen it done before (D10W with heparin) twice by the same very inexperienced nurse. When the abnormal blood glucoses were treated with insulin the second time she did it, there was a huge kerfuffle. Luckily the kid's hand was okay and the glucose was rapidly replaced. It's most likely that what you observed PlaneFlyerRN was an error. Hope the patient's okay...

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Jan 20, 2009

I've seen it done before (D10W with heparin) twice by the same very inexperienced nurse. When the abnormal blood glucoses were treated with insulin the second time she did it, there was a huge kerfuffle. Luckily the kid's hand was okay and the glucose was rapidly replaced. It's most likely that what you observed PlaneFlyerRN was an error. Hope the patient's okay...

This nurse is fairly new, and although I was never assigned this patient, I believe the patient did not sustain any obvious injury.

The situation had already corrected itself before I could intervene

I just had to ask. Thank you for your input.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

I sure hope you approached that nurse and let her or him know why that is not acceptable practice. They can seriously compromise circulation to that limb as well as causing severe tissue damage. They would not have a leg to stand on in court