Four days following an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the client is exhibiting edema of both lower extremities, and pedal pulses are not palpable. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Elevate extremities on pillows.
Evaluate edema for pitting.
Wrap the feet with warmed blankets.
Assess pulses with a vascular Doppler
The Correct Answer is D
A. Elevate extremities on pillows:
While elevation can be beneficial for reducing dependent edema, the priority is to assess the pulses first to determine the adequacy of peripheral perfusion.
B. Evaluate edema for pitting:
Assessing edema for pitting is important for gathering additional information, but it is not the initial action in this scenario. Assessing pulses is more critical to evaluate perfusion.
C. Wrap the feet with warmed blankets:
Warming the feet with blankets may be appropriate in some situations, but it is not the priority when the client is exhibiting edema and non-palpable pedal pulses. The primary concern is assessing perfusion.
D. Assess pulses with a vascular Doppler:
This is the correct action. The non-palpable pedal pulses are concerning and require immediate assessment to determine the status of peripheral perfusion. Using a vascular Doppler will help the nurse assess the presence or absence of blood flow in the lower extremities.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Irrigating the catheter manually:
Manually irrigating the catheter without an order may disrupt the clotting process and increase the risk of bleeding. It is not a routine nursing intervention post-TURP without specific orders.
B. Monitoring catheter drainage.
It is not within the nurse's scope of practice to manually irrigate the catheter without a healthcare provider's order, especially in the context of post-TURP care. The dark, pink-tinged outflow with blood clots indicates some expected bleeding following the procedure. The nurse should closely monitor the catheter drainage for the amount, color, and presence of clots.
C. Discontinuing infusing solution:
Discontinuing the normal saline irrigation may lead to clot formation and obstruction, potentially worsening the situation. The continuous bladder irrigation is often used to prevent clot formation and maintain catheter patency post-TURP.
D. Decreasing the flow rate:
The flow rate is typically set by the healthcare provider to maintain catheter patency and prevent clot formation. Decreasing the flow rate without specific orders may not be appropriate in this situation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Increasing anxiety:
While emotional and psychological aspects are important in holistic care, immediate intervention is usually required for physiological concerns. Increasing anxiety may need attention, but it is not as urgent as addressing potential respiratory issues.
B. Inappropriate laughter:
Changes in emotional expression, such as inappropriate laughter, can occur in ALS due to involvement of upper motor neurons. While notable, it may not be as urgent as addressing respiratory concerns.
C. Weakened cough effort.
In ALS, respiratory muscles can become affected as the disease progresses, leading to respiratory complications. Weakened cough effort is concerning because it can indicate potential respiratory muscle weakness, which may lead to difficulty clearing secretions and an increased risk of respiratory compromise or infection.
D. Asymmetrical weakness:
Asymmetrical weakness is a common feature of ALS, but it may not necessarily warrant immediate intervention unless there are sudden changes or signs of acute distress. Respiratory symptoms, such as weakened cough effort, often require more immediate attention.
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