A patient with a recent exacerbation of heart failure is feeling uncomfortable and anxious, with a sensation of flopping in the chest.
While waiting for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Choice A rationale

The right foot being cool to the touch and appearing pale and blanched is a classic sign of arterial obstruction. After a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery, it’s possible that a clot or other obstruction could have formed, impeding blood flow to the right foot. This would cause the foot to become cool and pale due to lack of warm, oxygenated blood.

Choice B rationale

While a moist and oozing pressure dressing at the right femoral area could indicate a problem such as bleeding from the catheter insertion site, it does not specifically indicate arterial obstruction.

Choice C rationale

A downward trend in blood pressure and a rapid, irregular pulse could indicate many different problems, including shock, heart failure, or arrhythmias. However, these symptoms are not specific to arterial obstruction.

Choice D rationale

A weaker pulse distal to the femoral artery on the left foot compared to the right foot could indicate a problem with circulation to the left foot, but it does not indicate an obstruction in the right femoral artery.

Choice A rationale

While auscultating breath sounds is an important part of assessing a client’s respiratory status, it is not the first action the nurse should take when a client with ascites is dyspneic. The nurse should first address the client’s positioning to help alleviate the dyspnea.

Choice B rationale

While measuring vital signs is an important part of assessing a client’s overall status, it is not the first action the nurse should take when a client with ascites is dyspneic. The nurse should first address the client’s positioning to help alleviate the dyspnea.

Choice C rationale

Assisting the client to a high Fowler’s position can help alleviate dyspnea by allowing for greater lung expansion. This should be the nurse’s first action when a client with ascites is dyspneic.

Choice D rationale

While deep breathing exercises can help improve lung function and may be beneficial for a client with ascites, they are not the first action the nurse should take when the client is dyspneic. The nurse should first address the client’s positioning to help alleviate the dyspnea.