What is a common risk to monitor after an arterial blood draw?

Monitoring for bleeding at the puncture site after an arterial blood draw is vital due to the high pressure of arterial blood compared to venous blood. The risk of bleeding arises from the fact that arteries are deeper and surrounded by more tissue than veins, so if the site is not adequately compressed after the draw, there is a potential for significant blood loss.

Proper post-procedure care includes applying pressure to the site to prevent hematoma formation and excessive blood loss, which can lead to complications. The monitoring process is essential for ensuring patient safety and intervening promptly if excessive bleeding occurs.

While other factors like bacterial contamination, pressure on the vein, and patient discomfort are considerations, they are generally less critical in the immediate aftermath of an arterial blood draw compared to the risk of bleeding. These other factors may be addressed through proper technique and procedural protocols but do not pose the same urgent danger as a bleeding complication.