United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I think I heard not to take a temperature under the arm on the injured side and also that BP can read differently on that side. I think someone also said no needle sticks on that side - I'm not sure why - anyone know?

My question is, my baby is 4 months old and has had pretty good recovery (pretty good range but still weak) - would those rules still apply?

Hi Anna

I am OBPI and 62... for as long as I can remember I was told not to have and IV, blood pressure or needle in my right arm.
As far as temperature goes. My right arm is always colder then the left arm. I need to put on something with a sleeve at night to warm the arm or I wake up all night with a cold arm... hope this helps a bit...

Kath

Anna, I copied this card off for Thomas I keep it in the diaper bag and one in my purse. Its a medical alert card you can print off.

http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001911card.pdf

It's a very good card to carry around. When Matthew was getting preped for primary surgery they went to get a blood sample from his right middle finger (he's robpi) and the person drawing the blood knew nothing about it.
Cindy

Forgot to add that this children's hospital is known as the #1 place to go for surgery.
Cindy

Anna - the reason why these rules apply is because there is decreased circulation in the affected arm. If there is decreased circulation and you did a needle stick and it got infected - it would be much harder for the body to fight it off. It's the same rules for someone who has lymphedema (like a woman who is post mastectomy).

This is so true. Every time Michael gets his blood presure taken at the clinic it's always on the other arm. When he is hospitalized the head nurse puts a sign on his door and over his bed to take vitals on his other side. One night a new girl came in the room and nearly fell over when she took his blood preasure on the BP side. She hit the alarm button on his bed side, the Dr.'s and nurses came flying in, I jumped out of my skin because I was fast asleep. Needless to say thats when the signs went up. The same is true for temps under the arm. Michael is strickly oral temps.

Patty

I just wanted to add that Francine's explanation here is precisely what we've been taught in nursing school. We've been taught to ask before any bp, temp or needle sticks, "Is there any reason why I should not use this arm, any injury, trauma or pain?" Something along those lines.

Patty, thanks for posting about the sign. I'm going to keep that in mind for any future hospitalizations.

Tricia, it's interesting to read that you were taught in nursing school to ask first. I wish more medical professionals would follow this directive. No one has ever asked me and I've really had to keep on top of it. There's a new asst. at Nicole's Pediatrician's office and when we went for her 3-yr checkup, she was about to take the blood pressure in her L arm and I told her not to and then realized in talking to her that she didn't even seem to know about her BPI. The ironic thing was that I'd just given her a copy of Nicole's paperwork that they needed to complete and sign in order for her to get PT/OT at school and included in the school package was a copy of the BP Medical Alert card. I guess she didn't even take a glimpse at what she was copying. Anyway, needless to say the whole thing did not go over very well with me.

-Tina

My daughter was recently in the hospital, and they took her blood pressure in both arms and both lower legs. All four readings were different, and on her affected side, both the leg and arm were significantly different.