Maintain the transducer at the same level

as the patient’s heart

Recheck patient and transducer

positions

Leaks in transducer system Assemble transducer carefully, ensuring

that dome is attached snugly; use Luerlock fittings and disposable stopcocks

Check all fittings, transducer dome,

and stopcock connections

External vascular compression Secure catheter firmly without putting

tape circumferentially on extremity

Loosen tape, securing catheter in

place

Strained transducer Attention to stopcocks when aspirating to

module

Replace transducer

High intrathoracic pressure secondary to

mechanical ventilation; reduces venous

return and cardic output

Be aware of problem Use minimal amount of mean airway pressure required to achieve

optimal ventilation

Damped pressure

without improvement after flushing

Air bubbles in transducer connector tubing Flush transducer and tubing carefully

when setting up system and attaching

to catheter; handle system carefully

Check system, rapid flush, attach

syringe to transducer, and aspirate

bubble

No pressure reading

available

Transducer not open to catheter or settings on

monitor amplifiers incorrect–still on zero,

cal, or off

Follow routine, systematic steps for setting up system and pressure measurements

Check system–stopcocks, monitor,

and amplifier setup

a

From Ward M, Langton JA. Blood pressure measurement. Cont Edu Anaesth Crit Care Pain. 2007;7(4):122–126. © 2007 Oxford University Press.