Question

in the case of the suspicion of a catheter tip embolism what is the first nursing action?

Answer 1

When we susupect an air embolism at the catheter tip, then position the patient immediately inorder to prevent emboli from entering into the right chamber of heart and thereby to pulmonary arteries. Because this may cause right ventricular outflow obstruction ( air lock). Inorder to prevent all these, patient should be immediately positioned to left lateral decubitus (Durant's maneuver) and trendelenburg position.

Also trendelenburg position ( head down) prevents arterial embolism from entering into brain and prevents the risk of stroke.

In case of arterial embolism, flushing should be immediately stopped inorder to prevent further air embolism and the rotating hemostatic valve should be fully opened. It push out the emboli due to arterial pressure.

In case of venous embolism, positioning is important inorder to prevent the further entry of emboli