Brachial artery puncture: the need for caution.

Because of the anatomy of the forearm, hematoma formation and compression of the median nerve can occur in patients who have not received anticoagulants. This potential for nerve damage poses a risk to the patient and legal risk to the operator. Family physicians and family practice residents should first attempt to obtain arterial blood gas sampling from the radial artery and only use the brachial artery if the attempt from the radial artery fails. Femoral artery puncture should also be avoided, if possible.