Question

In order to avoid air embolism while placing catheter, how should you position a patient and what should you tell the patient to do?

Answer 1

To minimize the risk of air embolism during catheter insertion, the patient should be in a trendelenburg position, and instructed to perform the Valsalva maneuver at critical times of the procedure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To avoid the risk of an air embolism when placing a central venous catheter, proper patient positioning is critical. The patient should be positioned in a trendelenburg (head down) position, which helps to increase venous pressure in the upper body and reduce the risk of air entering the veins during catheter insertion. This position utilizes gravity to lessen the likelihood of an air embolism as it creates a pressure gradient that prevents air from traveling into the insertion site.

Patient coordination during the procedure can also play a role in reducing the risk of air embolism. The patient should be instructed to perform the Valsalva maneuver—holding their breath and bearing down—as the catheter is being inserted or removed. This action increases the pressure inside the chest and helps to collapse the central veins slightly, further reducing the risk of air entering the bloodstream. This is a part of a set of precautions often referred to as a 'checklist,' ensuring a safer procedure when coupled with the implementation of sterile techniques and appropriate clinician training.