18
ZOLL M Series Invasive Blood Pressure
WARNING!
* Air in the monitoring line risks accidental air embolization associated with
significant patient morbidity.
WARNING!
** Leaks in the tubing/catheter system may effectively cause the patient to
hemorrhage.
Message/Symptom:
Problem:
User Action:
BP numerical
readout displays as
“-----”
Transducer has not been zeroed.
Zero the transducer.
Arterial BP
waveform distorted.
Catheter whip.
Overdamped system.
Underdamped system.
Follow institutional procedures to eliminate
catheter whip.
Check for the presence of blood clots.
Check for blood remaining in the catheter
following blood sampling.
Check for air bubbles in the entire fluid
circuit.
Eliminate these as necessary.
Remove all air bubbles, including pinpoint air
bubbles from the fluid circuit.
Pressure readings too
high or too low (after
verification of non-
physiologic changes
in patient).
Air bubbles in the fluid*.
Clotted blood at catheter tip or within
catheter lumen.
Kinks or knots in the catheter or
tubing.
Catheter whip.
Leak or loose connection in the tubing
system.
Patient position changes.
Remove all air bubbles, including pinpoint air
bubbles, per institutional procedures.
Clear clotted blood from the line per
institutional procedures.
Check for adequate line irrigation.
Remove kinks or knots in catheter and tubing.
Follow institutional procedures to eliminate
catheter whip. Tracking changes in mean
pressures may be beneficial, as mean
pressures are less affected by bobbing
catheter.
Check for leaks in the tubing/catheter
system**.
Check position of transducer relative to
phlebostatic axis.
Reposition transducer and rezero as necessary.
