ARTERIES AND ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Match the arteries to the advantages and disadvantages associated with performing arterial punctures on them. Some advantages and disadvantages may have more than one choice.
Arteries
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Femoral
Disadvantages
- deeply located
- hardest to locate during low cardiac output
Advantages - easy to compress after puncture
- fairly close to the surface of the skin
- has the best collateral circulation
- large and easy to palpate
- less chance of hematoma formation
- may be only choice during low cardiac output
- no major nerves or veins immediately adjacent
- preferred for collection of large volumes of blood
- increased chance of dislodging plaque
- increased risk of hematoma formation
- increased risk of infection
- lies close to a major vein
- lies close to the median nerve
- no underlying ligaments or bone
- poor collateral circulation
- small size requires more skill to puncture
The correct answer and explanation is :
Here’s how the arteries correspond to the advantages and disadvantages of performing arterial punctures:
A. Radial Artery
Advantages:
- 2. fairly close to the surface of the skin: The radial artery is relatively superficial, making it easier to locate and puncture.
- 1. easy to compress after puncture: Due to its location, compression to prevent bleeding is simpler and more effective.
- 3. has the best collateral circulation: The radial artery has good collateral circulation, meaning if the artery is compromised, blood can still flow through the ulnar artery to the hand.
- 7. no major nerves or veins immediately adjacent: The radial artery is located away from major nerves and veins, minimizing the risk of nerve damage or inadvertent puncture of veins.
Disadvantages:
- 2. hardest to locate during low cardiac output: In cases of low cardiac output, the radial pulse may be weak, making it more difficult to locate the radial artery.
B. Brachial Artery
Advantages:
- 4. large and easy to palpate: The brachial artery is relatively large and can be palpated easily in the arm.
- 7. no major nerves or veins immediately adjacent: Although near the median nerve and veins, there are no large nerves or veins directly adjacent to the brachial artery, reducing the risk of damage.
Disadvantages:
- 1. deeply located: The brachial artery is deeper in the arm compared to the radial artery, making it harder to locate and puncture.
- 13. lies close to the median nerve: The brachial artery runs close to the median nerve, increasing the risk of nerve injury during puncture.
C. Femoral Artery
Advantages:
- 6. may be only choice during low cardiac output: During low cardiac output, the femoral artery may be the only site where the pulse is strong enough to perform a puncture.
- 4. large and easy to palpate: The femoral artery is large and relatively easy to palpate, making it a good choice in emergency situations.
- 8. preferred for collection of large volumes of blood: The femoral artery, being large, is commonly used for procedures where large blood volumes are required.
Disadvantages:
- 1. deeply located: The femoral artery is deeper in the groin area, which makes it harder to access.
- 9. increased chance of dislodging plaque: The femoral artery is a major artery, and performing a puncture may risk dislodging plaque, leading to embolism.
- 10. increased risk of hematoma formation: The femoral artery is large, and punctures can lead to significant bleeding, increasing the risk of hematoma.
- 11. increased risk of infection: The femoral artery is located in an area with more tissue and risk of infection, especially in more invasive procedures.
Summary Explanation:
When selecting an artery for arterial puncture, it’s essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages based on the clinical situation. The radial artery is typically preferred for routine punctures due to its ease of access, safety features, and good collateral circulation. However, its pulse may be harder to find in low cardiac output. The brachial artery is easily palpated, but its deeper location and proximity to the median nerve increase the risk of complications. The femoral artery, while useful in low cardiac output and for large blood volume collections, carries the risk of deeper location, dislodging plaque, and complications such as infection or hematoma. Each artery has its own set of considerations depending on the patient’s condition and the procedure being performed.