A nurse is caring for a client who has a new arteriovenous (AV) graft in his left forearm. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to assess the patency of this graft?
Auscultate the site for a bruit.
Measure the client's blood pressure to ensure it is higher in the left arm than the right.
Auscultate the antecubital fossa using a Doppler.
Check the brachial and radial pulses of the left arm simultaneously.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Auscultating for a bruit at the site of an AV graft is the most appropriate method to assess its patency. A bruit is a sound made by turbulent blood flow, indicating that the graft is functioning.
B. Measuring blood pressure in both arms does not specifically assess the patency of the graft and could potentially harm the graft if measured in the affected arm.
C. Auscultating the antecubital fossa using a Doppler is not a standard practice for assessing AV graft patency; instead, a stethoscope is used directly over the graft site.
D. Checking the brachial and radial pulses does not assess the graft directly. Although pulse presence is important, it does not provide information about the graft’s patency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Epoetin alfa is used to stimulate the production of red blood cells, so an increase in hematocrit levels would indicate a therapeutic effect. This is particularly important in clients with chronic renal disease, who often suffer from anemia due to decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys.
B. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific measure of inflammation and is not used to monitor the effectiveness of epoetin alfa therapy.
C. The leukocyte count measures white blood cells and is not affected by or used to assess the effectiveness of epoetin alfa.
D. The platelet count measures platelets in the blood and is not related to the therapeutic effects of epoetin alfa, which targets red blood cell production.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Auscultating for a bruit at the site of an AV graft is the most appropriate method to assess its patency. A bruit is a sound made by turbulent blood flow, indicating that the graft is functioning.
B. Measuring blood pressure in both arms does not specifically assess the patency of the graft and could potentially harm the graft if measured in the affected arm.
C. Auscultating the antecubital fossa using a Doppler is not a standard practice for assessing AV graft patency; instead, a stethoscope is used directly over the graft site.
D. Checking the brachial and radial pulses does not assess the graft directly. Although pulse presence is important, it does not provide information about the graft’s patency.
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