LPNs and ABGs?

TPalone · May 14, 2005

I work in a trauma center and routinely start IVs and do blood draws (yes, I'm certified for both). In looking to make a little extra cash, I interviwed at a local medical group for an Urgent Care position and was told the LPNs there do Arterial Blood Gases. When I asked further, I was told the RTs train the LPNs how to do it, you do 5 successful sticks, and get signed off to do it on your own! I've seen the hospital RTs do it before but am a little hesitant...
Has anyone ever heard of this before?

I heard of RT's doinf them and RN but never LPN's and rarely I.V's are started by LPN's I also am a phlebotomist so I have no prob with blood draws I worked In Icu as an aide those are so extremly painful and Artery no way not till Im a RN I see why you are hesitant :uhoh21:

whiteflowers · May 16, 2005

I heard of RT's doinf them and RN but never LPN's and rarely I.V's are started by LPN's I also am a phlebotomist so I have no prob with blood draws I worked In Icu as an aide those are so extremly painful and Artery no way not till Im a RN I see why you are hesitant :uhoh21:

I am an LVN in SoCal. I work med/surg in a local hospital. I am also IV and venipuncture certified. We have the RT's do ABGs on our patients. I have never seen one of our RNs do it either -- not even the one with 25 years experience under her belt! At this hosptal, LVN's start IVs everyday. As long as it is natural fluids, like NaCl, banana bags....stuff like that. We cant however, piggyback or hang antibiotics. We can flush , but we cant inject anything into the iv ports. I long for the days when i can become a RN and take 100% care of my patients. Maybe some day in the near future... :)

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 16, 2005

LVN's start IV's all day long (of course with certification), but ABG draws I would say are out of our scope of practice. Ill add here that in Texas LVN's can hang piggy backs and do IV pushes on selected meds. Back to the original problem ,I would make extra money other ways....

Blackcat99 · May 16, 2005

I have a question about phlebotomists. Are phlebotomists ever trained or expected to do ABG's at any time??? Thanks :)

suzanne4, RN · May 17, 2005

Phlebotomists have never been trained to do ABGs, nor should they be.

And as an LPN/LVN, I would check with your BON. I do not believe that it is in your scope of practice to do so. And the BON ruling stands over and above what any employer wants you to do.

HazelLPN, LPN · May 27, 2005

We draw ABG's off an A-lines or UACs, but never stick for them. If the patient has no line, a CBG will be collected....and the lab techs do them. In the rare occasion that a patient would need an ABG by an aterial stick, respiratory would do it...never an RN or an LPN.

no er holds · May 27, 2005

Thanks everybone for your responses...I had my pre-employment physical today for the position and expect to start in the next few weeks. Since this is only on-call and at most 2-4 shifts per month, I'll take this as it comes. My first call after class (un-related to this) is to the BON...I just wish their lines weren't always so busy and their printed material was more specific.

Thanks for all your help!