Performing and assisting advanced nursing
procedures
A vein cut down
• is a minor surgical procedure used to access a vein by making
an incision in the skin and dissecting down to the vein for the
insertion of a cannula or catheter.
• It is commonly used in emergency or critical situations where
peripheral intravenous (IV) access is difficult or impossible
Purpose
• To establish reliable venous access for the administration of fluids,
medications, or blood products.
• To obtain blood samples for laboratory tests.
• To provide long-term venous access for severely ill patients.
Indications
• Emergency situations:
• Hypovolemic shock or severe blood loss where peripheral veins are collapsed.
• Cardiac arrest requiring immediate venous access.
• Difficult IV access:
• In patients with small, fragile, or inaccessible veins (e.g., severe dehydration, edema, or
burns).
• Administration of medications or fluids:
• Urgent administration of life-saving drugs or fluids when other IV access is unavailable.
Equipment
• Sterile drapes
• Sterile gloves
• Antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine or iodine-based solution)
• Scalpel with blade (e.g., #11 or #15 blade)
• Tissue scissors (blunt-ended for dissection)
• Forceps (e.g., toothed and non-toothed)
• Hemostats or mosquito clamps (for controlling bleeding and handling
the vein)
Cont.…
• Intravenous cannula or catheter (appropriate size, e.g., 14G or 16G for
adults)
• Needle holder (if suturing is required)
• Sterile suture material (e.g., silk or nylon, 3-0 or 4-0)
• Sterile gauze or sponges
• Adhesive tape or securing device
Cont.…
• Local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine 1-2%)
• Syringe (5-10 mL) for drawing up the anesthetic
• Needles for infiltration (e.g., 25G or 27G)
• IV fluid set or infusion tubing
• 0.9% Normal Saline or other appropriate IV fluids for flushing the
catheter
• Syringe (10 mL) for flushing
• Tourniquet (to distend the vein during dissection)
• Bandages and sterile dressing for wound care
• Disposable sharps container for proper disposal of needles and blades
Contraindications
• Relative contraindications:
• Local infection or cellulitis at the proposed site.
• Severe coagulopathy or bleeding disorders (risk of bleeding at the surgical
site).
• Absolute contraindications:
• Situations where a central line or intraosseous access is more appropriate.
Procedure
• Preparation:
• Obtain informed consent (if possible in non-emergency cases).
• Prepare sterile equipment (scalpel, forceps, sutures, cannula, etc.).
• Ensure proper aseptic technique.
• Identify the vein:
• Common sites include the great saphenous vein at the ankle or the
cephalic/basilic vein near the wrist.
• Local anesthesia:
• Administer local anesthetic if the patient is conscious and time permits.
• Incision and dissection:
• Make a small incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue overlying the
vein.
• Use blunt dissection to expose and isolate the vein.
Cont.…
• Cannulation:
• Make a small incision in the vein (venotomy).
• Insert the cannula or catheter into the vein and secure it with sutures.
• Secure the site:
• Close the skin incision if needed and dress the area with sterile dressing.
• Flush the catheter to ensure patency.
• Post-procedure care:
• Monitor for complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, or dislodgement
of the catheter
Assisting in Thoracentesis Procedure
• is a medical procedure in which a needle or catheter is inserted into the pleural space to
remove fluid or air for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Purpose:
Diagnostic:
• To evaluate the cause of pleural effusion (e.g., infection, malignancy, or heart failure).
• To analyze pleural fluid for infection, protein levels, cytology, or other parameters.
Therapeutic:
• To relieve symptoms caused by large pleural effusions, such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing).
• To drain air (pneumothorax) or infected fluid (empyema).
Indications
• Suspected pleural effusion (seen on imaging studies such as chest X-ray or
ultrasound).
• Symptoms of large pleural effusion, such as:
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Chest pain.
• Cough.
• Suspected pneumothorax (collapsed lung due to air in the pleural space).
Contraindications:
• Absolute Contraindications:
• Uncooperative or combative patient.
• Uncorrected severe coagulopathy or bleeding disorders.
• Relative Contraindications:
• Small or loculated pleural effusion (may be challenging to access).
• Local skin infection or cellulitis at the puncture site.
• Mechanical ventilation (increased risk of pneumothorax).
Precautions:
• Use ultrasound guidance to identify the fluid and avoid nearby organs
or structures.
• Monitor coagulation status (e.g., INR, platelet count) and correct
abnormalities when possible.
• Avoid inserting the needle below the 9th rib to prevent liver or spleen
injury.
• Ensure aseptic technique to prevent infection.
• Closely monitor the patient for complications, such as pneumothorax,
bleeding, or hypotension.
Procedure
• Preparation:
• Obtain informed consent from the patient.
• Ensure imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound or X-ray) confirm the location of the effusion.
• Gather necessary equipment: sterile gloves, antiseptic solution, drapes, needle or catheter, syringe,
collection bottles, and a sterile dressing.
• Positioning:
• Position the patient in a seated position, leaning forward slightly with arms supported on a table or
pillow. If the patient cannot sit, a lateral decubitus position may be used.
• Site Selection:
• Determine the puncture site using imaging guidance. The typical site is the posterior axillary line, one
or two intercostal spaces below the top of the effusion, and above the diaphragm.
• Sterilization and Anesthesia:
• Clean the skin with antiseptic solution and drape the area.
• Administer local anesthesia (e.g., lidocaine) to numb the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and pleura.
Cont.…
• Needle or Catheter Insertion:
• Insert the needle along the superior edge of the rib to avoid neurovascular injury.
• Advance the needle while aspirating until pleural fluid is obtained.
• If using a catheter, advance it over the needle and secure it in place.
• Fluid Aspiration:
• Collect fluid in sterile bottles for laboratory analysis (e.g., cytology, culture, protein levels).
• For therapeutic drainage, do not remove more than 1.5 liters at once to prevent re-expansion pulmonary edema.
• Completion:
• Remove the needle or catheter and apply pressure to the puncture site.
• Cover the site with a sterile dressing.
• Send fluid samples to the lab promptly.
• Post-Procedure Care:
• Monitor the patient for complications such as dyspnea, hypotension, or signs of pneumothorax.
• Perform a post-procedure chest X-ray if indicated (e.g., to rule out pneumothorax).
Complications to Monitor For:
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
• Hemothorax (bleeding into the pleural space).
• Infection (at the site or pleural space).
• Pain or vasovagal reactions.
• Re-expansion pulmonary edema.

Performing and assisting advanced nursing procedures.pptx

  • 1.
    Performing and assistingadvanced nursing procedures A vein cut down • is a minor surgical procedure used to access a vein by making an incision in the skin and dissecting down to the vein for the insertion of a cannula or catheter. • It is commonly used in emergency or critical situations where peripheral intravenous (IV) access is difficult or impossible
  • 2.
    Purpose • To establishreliable venous access for the administration of fluids, medications, or blood products. • To obtain blood samples for laboratory tests. • To provide long-term venous access for severely ill patients.
  • 3.
    Indications • Emergency situations: •Hypovolemic shock or severe blood loss where peripheral veins are collapsed. • Cardiac arrest requiring immediate venous access. • Difficult IV access: • In patients with small, fragile, or inaccessible veins (e.g., severe dehydration, edema, or burns). • Administration of medications or fluids: • Urgent administration of life-saving drugs or fluids when other IV access is unavailable.
  • 4.
    Equipment • Sterile drapes •Sterile gloves • Antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine or iodine-based solution) • Scalpel with blade (e.g., #11 or #15 blade) • Tissue scissors (blunt-ended for dissection) • Forceps (e.g., toothed and non-toothed) • Hemostats or mosquito clamps (for controlling bleeding and handling the vein)
  • 5.
    Cont.… • Intravenous cannulaor catheter (appropriate size, e.g., 14G or 16G for adults) • Needle holder (if suturing is required) • Sterile suture material (e.g., silk or nylon, 3-0 or 4-0) • Sterile gauze or sponges • Adhesive tape or securing device
  • 6.
    Cont.… • Local anesthetic(e.g., lidocaine 1-2%) • Syringe (5-10 mL) for drawing up the anesthetic • Needles for infiltration (e.g., 25G or 27G) • IV fluid set or infusion tubing • 0.9% Normal Saline or other appropriate IV fluids for flushing the catheter • Syringe (10 mL) for flushing • Tourniquet (to distend the vein during dissection) • Bandages and sterile dressing for wound care • Disposable sharps container for proper disposal of needles and blades
  • 7.
    Contraindications • Relative contraindications: •Local infection or cellulitis at the proposed site. • Severe coagulopathy or bleeding disorders (risk of bleeding at the surgical site). • Absolute contraindications: • Situations where a central line or intraosseous access is more appropriate.
  • 8.
    Procedure • Preparation: • Obtaininformed consent (if possible in non-emergency cases). • Prepare sterile equipment (scalpel, forceps, sutures, cannula, etc.). • Ensure proper aseptic technique. • Identify the vein: • Common sites include the great saphenous vein at the ankle or the cephalic/basilic vein near the wrist. • Local anesthesia: • Administer local anesthetic if the patient is conscious and time permits. • Incision and dissection: • Make a small incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue overlying the vein. • Use blunt dissection to expose and isolate the vein.
  • 9.
    Cont.… • Cannulation: • Makea small incision in the vein (venotomy). • Insert the cannula or catheter into the vein and secure it with sutures. • Secure the site: • Close the skin incision if needed and dress the area with sterile dressing. • Flush the catheter to ensure patency. • Post-procedure care: • Monitor for complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, or dislodgement of the catheter
  • 10.
    Assisting in ThoracentesisProcedure • is a medical procedure in which a needle or catheter is inserted into the pleural space to remove fluid or air for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Purpose: Diagnostic: • To evaluate the cause of pleural effusion (e.g., infection, malignancy, or heart failure). • To analyze pleural fluid for infection, protein levels, cytology, or other parameters. Therapeutic: • To relieve symptoms caused by large pleural effusions, such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing). • To drain air (pneumothorax) or infected fluid (empyema).
  • 11.
    Indications • Suspected pleuraleffusion (seen on imaging studies such as chest X-ray or ultrasound). • Symptoms of large pleural effusion, such as: • Shortness of breath (dyspnea). • Chest pain. • Cough. • Suspected pneumothorax (collapsed lung due to air in the pleural space).
  • 12.
    Contraindications: • Absolute Contraindications: •Uncooperative or combative patient. • Uncorrected severe coagulopathy or bleeding disorders. • Relative Contraindications: • Small or loculated pleural effusion (may be challenging to access). • Local skin infection or cellulitis at the puncture site. • Mechanical ventilation (increased risk of pneumothorax).
  • 13.
    Precautions: • Use ultrasoundguidance to identify the fluid and avoid nearby organs or structures. • Monitor coagulation status (e.g., INR, platelet count) and correct abnormalities when possible. • Avoid inserting the needle below the 9th rib to prevent liver or spleen injury. • Ensure aseptic technique to prevent infection. • Closely monitor the patient for complications, such as pneumothorax, bleeding, or hypotension.
  • 14.
    Procedure • Preparation: • Obtaininformed consent from the patient. • Ensure imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound or X-ray) confirm the location of the effusion. • Gather necessary equipment: sterile gloves, antiseptic solution, drapes, needle or catheter, syringe, collection bottles, and a sterile dressing. • Positioning: • Position the patient in a seated position, leaning forward slightly with arms supported on a table or pillow. If the patient cannot sit, a lateral decubitus position may be used. • Site Selection: • Determine the puncture site using imaging guidance. The typical site is the posterior axillary line, one or two intercostal spaces below the top of the effusion, and above the diaphragm. • Sterilization and Anesthesia: • Clean the skin with antiseptic solution and drape the area. • Administer local anesthesia (e.g., lidocaine) to numb the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and pleura.
  • 15.
    Cont.… • Needle orCatheter Insertion: • Insert the needle along the superior edge of the rib to avoid neurovascular injury. • Advance the needle while aspirating until pleural fluid is obtained. • If using a catheter, advance it over the needle and secure it in place. • Fluid Aspiration: • Collect fluid in sterile bottles for laboratory analysis (e.g., cytology, culture, protein levels). • For therapeutic drainage, do not remove more than 1.5 liters at once to prevent re-expansion pulmonary edema. • Completion: • Remove the needle or catheter and apply pressure to the puncture site. • Cover the site with a sterile dressing. • Send fluid samples to the lab promptly. • Post-Procedure Care: • Monitor the patient for complications such as dyspnea, hypotension, or signs of pneumothorax. • Perform a post-procedure chest X-ray if indicated (e.g., to rule out pneumothorax).
  • 16.
    Complications to MonitorFor: • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung). • Hemothorax (bleeding into the pleural space). • Infection (at the site or pleural space). • Pain or vasovagal reactions. • Re-expansion pulmonary edema.