In partnership with Primary Children’s Hospital

Arterial lines

An arterial line (also called an art line) is a short, soft, 1 Insert a small needle connected to the arterial plastic tube (catheter) put directly into an artery. The catheter into the artery arterial line is connected to a thick tube that leads to 2 Remove the needle and put a couple stitches in an infusion pump and monitor. the skin to secure the catheter Your child needs an arterial line when their: 3 Connect the catheter to a thick tubing •• Blood must be drawn often to measure how their (see the illustration) lungs are working 4 Fill the tubing with solution to prevent blood •• Blood pressure must be monitored at all times from clotting and blocking the line How is an arterial line placed? 5 Tape the line securely to your child’s skin A healthcare provider places an arterial line in the 6 Put your child’s arm or leg on a padded board to operating room or in the intensive care unit (ICU). keep it still and prevent the line from accidentally Your child may receive medicine to help relieve pain being pulled out and anxiety during the procedure. To place an arterial line, the healthcare provider will:

infusion pump— slowly puts fluid into the tubing to keep blood syringe—used to from clotting and take out a little blocking the line blood or put a little fluid in to clear the tubing, when needed

monitor— displays your port—allows child’s blood your child to pressure all have blood the time samples taken without pain, when needed

catheter—short, plastic transducer—allows your tube in the artery nurse to know your 1 child’s blood pressure •• Your child doesn’t need to have their blood pressure watched all the time •• It doesn’t work anymore How is the arterial line is removed? 1 Your child’s nurse will gently remove the tape holding the arterial catheter in place. This pulls gently on the skin. If your child has a hard time with this, the nurse can use a special liquid that helps loosen the tape. The liquid doesn’t hurt at all. 2 The nurse removes the stitches. Most children say they cannot feel this or that they just feel something pulling. 3 The nurse then removes the catheter, which takes only a few seconds. They will hold your child’s How can I help my child cope with wrist with a bandage for at least 5 minutes to make sure the bleeding stops. It may help to read an arterial line? your child a short story or talk about their Some children don’t like arterial lines because they favorite things while they wait. The nurse will can’t bend their wrist or use their hand a lot. Remind then apply a bandage that needs to stay in place your child how the arterial line is helping them and for one day. that the tube is small. When the arterial catheter is removed, it means your When will the arterial line child is getting better. It is one of the signs your be removed? child is getting well enough to be transferred out An arterial line is removed when: of the ICU. •• Your child doesn’t need to have blood tests frequently

Notes

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