What is a tourniquet?
Device used to provide hemostasis by reducing blood flow to extremity
What are the advantages to a tourniquet?
Makes dissection easier
Less trauma to tissues
Reduces surgical time
( not always burning vessels)
When should a tourniquet not be used?
WHEN CIRCULATION NOT IMPAIRED Dialysis catheter Compartment syndrome Hypertension Mcardles syndrome
What are some complications of tourniquets?
Gangrene Loss of limbs Nerve pressure can cause paralysis Tissue and vascular injury Skin blisters Abrasions Necrosis Chemical burn
Nursing documentation for tourniquet
Location of cuff Cuff pressure Time inflated time deflated Serial number of tourniquet Person applying cuff Post op skin assess