Li'lOne

epona, it's not a big deal to take blood from an artery, but i was starting an iv line for meds etc., & yes...thats a big deal. also, if ever u do an arterial stick, u must always apply pressure to the site for apprx 5 min. btw, i'm glad you are reading these, you can learn alot here. i know i have. :) i wish u the best w/your studies! good luck!

OK, I may be incorrect in stating "Radial". What I mean is site above the thumb area & I HAVE had iv sites in this area.

Also....I did flush it w/10cc NS, is this a problem?

I have posted this in General Nursing, I am in a panic over here.... RN 1yr now, work in a VERY BUSY ER. Last night, needed blds & iv line on pt (obese) Left arm option only (rt arm shunt) AC not an option (badly scarred, keloids etc..) Can't feel/find anything on forearm or hand, but I feel (what I thought was nice vein) on radial area. OK, so I stick w/a 20g & rcvd. an immed. flashback. Started to think I might have hit an artery by the color, but thought "no way could this be an artery so close to the surface" & continued to fill my tubes & secure iv lock & flushed w/10cc ns. (Shoot, i should have realized by the mess I made & the pt's pain reaction!) NOW I see pulsating in line, I'm quietly freaking out inside & bring dr. over & YEP....it's an artery!!!! I remove & apply pressure apprx 5min. Now I ask you......anyone....what, if any, damage I may have done? I have started sooo many lines & have never come across an artery so close the surface. (By the way, dr went for an left EJ & it blew, so no iv lock.)

I am in a panic overhere.... RN 1yr now, work in a VERY BUSY ER. Last night, needed blds & iv line on pt (obese) Left arm option only (rt arm shunt) AC not an option (badly scarred, keloids etc..) Can't feel/find anything on forearm or hand, but I feel (what I thought was nice vein) on radial area. OK, so I stick w/a 20g & rcvd. an immed. flashback. Started to think I might have hit an artery by the color, but thought "no way could this be an artery so close to the surface" & continued to fill my tubes & secure iv lock. (Shoot, i should have realized by the mess I made & the pt's pain reaction!) NOW I see pulsating in line, I'm quietly freaking out inside & bring dr. over & YEP....it's an artery!!!! I remove & apply pressure apprx 5min. Now I ask you......anyone....what, if any, damage I may have done? I have started sooo many lines & have never come across an artery so close the surface. (By the way, dr went for an left EJ & it blew, so no iv lock.)