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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
SKILL 16-3Obtaining an Arterial Blood Sample From an
Arterial Line–Stopcock System (Continued)Comments- Place the syringe for the laboratory sample or the
Vacutainer in the sampling port of the stopcock. Turn the
stopcock off to the flush solution, and slowly withdraw
the required amount of blood. For each additional sample
required, repeat this procedure. If coagulation tests are
included in the required tests, obtain blood for this from
the final sample. - Turn the stopcock to the halfway position between the
flush solution and the sampling port to close the system
in all directions. Remove the syringe or Vacutainer. Apply
the rubber cap to the ABG syringe hub, if necessary. - Insert a 5-mL syringe into the sampling port of the stopcock.
Turn off the stopcock to the patient. Activate the in-line
flushing device. Flush through the sampling port into the
syringe to clear the stopcock and sampling port of any
residual blood. - Turn off the stopcock to the sampling port; remove the
syringe. Remove sampling port cap and replace with new
sterile one. Intermittently flush the arterial catheter with
the in-line flushing device until the tubing is clear of
blood. - Remove gloves. Reactivate the monitor alarms. Record
date and time the samples were obtained on the labels, as
well as the required information to identify the person
obtaining the samples. If ABG was collected, record
oxygen flow rate (or room air) on label. Apply labels to
the specimens, according to facility policy. Place in biohaz-
ard bags; place ABG sample in bag with ice. - Check the monitor for return of the arterial waveform and
pressure reading. - Return the patient to a comfortable position. Lower bed
height, if necessary, and adjust head of bed to a comfortable
position. - Remove goggles and additional PPE, if used. Perform hand
hygiene. Send specimens to the laboratory immediately.
ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice