Arterial line

Upon entering the room of a patient with a right radial arterial line, the nurse assesses the waveform to be slightly dampened and notices blood to be backed up into the pressure tubing. What is the best action by the nurse?

• Check the inflation volume of the flush system pressure bag

• Disconnect the flush system from the arterial line catheter

• Zero the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis

• Reduce the number of stopcocks in the flush system tubing

The critical care nurse is caring for a client with an arterial line. The nurse can utilize this line for which of the following?

• Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate, and infusing medications

• Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate, and obtaining blood gases and other laboratory samples

• Obtaining blood gases and other laboratory samples, and infusing medications