PA Catheter Removal (Nursing)

00:01 Next, let's talk about how to remove the PA catheter.

00:04 Before we do anything to remove the PA catheter, we need to make sure that we have no air left in that balloon.

00:11 If there's air in the balloon and we withdraw the PA catheter, we may cause damage to the valves.

00:17 In order to remove the air, just disconnect the syringe from the catheter and allow all of the air to come out.

00:24 Next, we're going to place the client in a supine position and face their head away from the catheter site.

00:30 This is to make sure that when we take off the transparent dressing we're not introducing any bacteria to the site.

00:36 Turn the stopcock off to the client or turn them up and discard any of the intravenous solutions and flushes with that.

00:45 Make sure to wear a mask and face shield or goggles.

00:48 Because when you withdraw that PA catheter, you may have some blood that flicks on to you.

00:54 Remove the old dressing and unlock the sheath from the introducer.

00:59 Now to minimize the risk of a venous air embolus, make sure the client takes a deep breath and holds it.

01:05 Once they're holding, just gently pull that PA catheter out while you're securing the introducer with your other hand.

01:12 The introducer will have stitches, keeping it in but if you don't secure it, it can cause pain and may get pulled out as well.

01:22 Once it's out, view the catheter tip to make sure everything is intact.

01:27 Then you're going to make sure to clean the introducer insertion site with a chlorhexidine wand.

01:34 Then you're going to have a blue cap that goes on top of the introducer and you're going to place a new chlorhexidine dressing over the introducer site.