Published
Never take bp in same arm as a-line and picc. I have in rare occasions taken bp in same arm as picc if it is lower than the picc line, but only in cases in which you have no other place. Like a pt with a shunt in one arm and can't get a good reading from a leg.
Yes, under the picc is ok, but not ideal...I still don't understand the rationale behind putting the cuff on the same side as the a line if they correlate....don't get it? If they are correlating, then why even use a cuff? Just read the a line...
We recently updated our policies and now we're supposed to check aline/nbp correlation once a shift. Maybe that's why she was checking the nbp? And I think you can check bp on the picc side a)if you have NO other option b) it's urgent/necessary (if you didn't have an a line for example). Also, every two hours is fairly frequently, so her rationale that it's "not that often" is a little ... off.
Galaknore
41 Posts
Question: My patient had an a-line and a picc on his right arm. I came on shift this morning to find a bp cuff on the same arm as the picc and a-line checking the bp pressure every 120 minutes. So, I switched the cuff to the left arm and just made a mental note. The same nurse was back and said she heard when you check if the cuff pressure and the a-line pressure correlate, you put the cuff on the same side arm. Also, it's okay to take pressures on a picc as long as you don't do it that often. Now, I had never heard this and if I'm wrong I will admit it, but I just find it hard to believe you can put a cuff on a picc. Does anyone know what the correct way is?