Question

The NICU RT supervisor is observing a therapist obtain an arterial blood sample from an infant's radial and notices the therapist has the bevel of the needle upward, entering the patient's skin at a 45-degree angle and in a direction against the arterial flow. What should the supervisor do at this time?

a) Interrupt the procedure and correct the needle orientation.

b) Allow the therapist to proceed, as the angle is acceptable.

c) Advise the therapist to increase the angle of needle insertion.

d) Stop the procedure and seek guidance from a physician.

Answer 1

The NICU RT supervisor should interrupt the procedure to correct the therapist's needle orientation, as it must align with the direction of arterial flow, although the angle is acceptable.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the correct action for the NICU RT supervisor to take is to interrupt the procedure and correct the needle orientation. When obtaining an arterial blood sample, it is essential that the bevel of the needle is upward, but the needle should enter the skin aligned with the direction of the arterial flow, not against it. By going against the flow, the therapist may damage the artery and decrease the likelihood of a successful blood draw. The angle of entry, typically between 30 to 45 degrees, is acceptable if the needle's orientation was correct with respect to the arterial flow. Since patient safety and the accuracy of the procedure are critical, the supervisor must ensure that the therapist is using proper technique immediately.