Section IV. VENOUS CUTDOWN
3-27. INTRODUCTION
The venous cutdown is a minor surgical procedure normally done by a physician.
The following information is presented for the medical NCO so that you will be
acquainted with the method. You may be called upon to assist the physician in
maintaining sterility of the equipment and in caring for the patient following the
procedure. Venous cutdown is a sterile procedure.
3-28. REASONS FOR USING THE VENOUS CUTDOWN
If an external site for the venipuncture cannot be located, a venous cutdown can
be required. This situation may occur when a patient's veins have collapsed. If the
patient is in shock, very thin, or in poor physical condition, a site for venipuncture may
not appear. By doing a venous cutdown, the catheter can be inserted directly into a
vein, and intravenous therapy can be started.
3-29. VENOUS CUTDOWN PROCEDURE
The following is a brief discussion of the venous cutdown procedure. You will
perform only those actions that the physician tells you to perform.
a. Equipment and Supplies. Equipment and supplies used in a venous
cutdown are listed below.
(1)
Sterile gloves.
(2)
Scalpel handle and blades.
(3)
Suture materials.
(4)
Hemostats.
(5)
Scissors (vascular and suture).
(6)
Supplies for prepping and dressing the wound area.
(7)
Intravenous setup.
(8)
Sterile towels, mask.
(9)
Splint, if required.
(10) Other supplies and equipment as required by physician (and available).
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