A nurse is providing discharge instructions to the parent of a 10-year-old child following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: A respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min is within the normal range for a child, depending on their age. It does not indicate respiratory distress or asthma exacerbation.

Choice B reason: Wheezes in the lower lobes are a sign of airway obstruction and inflammation due to asthma. They indicate that the child may need additional medication or intervention to relieve their symptoms. The nurse should report this finding to the provider.

Choice C reason: An oxygen saturation of 95% is within the normal range for a child. It does not indicate hypoxia or impaired gas exchange due to asthma.

Choice D reason: A peak expiratory flow rate of 80% of personal best is considered a green zone result, meaning that the child's asthma is well controlled. It does not indicate a need for change in the child's asthma action plan.

Choice A reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. A pressure dressing is applied to the site of the catheter insertion to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation. If the dressing is saturated with bloody drainage, it indicates that the bleeding is not controlled and may lead to hemorrhage or infection.

Choice B reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. Pulses of the extremity where the catheter was inserted should be equal to or stronger than the other extremity. If the pulses are diminished, it indicates that there is impaired blood flow to the extremity, which may be caused by arterial occlusion, thrombosis, or vasospasm.

Choice C reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. The color and temperature of the extremity where the catheter was inserted should be similar to the other extremity. If the extremity is cool and pale, it indicates that there is inadequate perfusion to the extremity, which may be caused by the same factors as the diminished pulses.

Choice D reason: This is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. Pain is an indicator of tissue damage or inflammation. The adolescent should have minimal or no pain after the procedure, as the site is numbed with local anesthesia. If the pain is present or increases, it indicates that there is a complication, such as bleeding, infection, or nerve injury.

Choice E reason: This is not a finding that the nurse should report to the provider. The apical pulse is the heart rate measured at the apex of the heart. It is a routine vital sign that the nurse should monitor after the procedure, but it is not a sign of a complication unless it is abnormal, such as too fast, too slow, or irregular. The nurse should compare the apical pulse with the baseline and the expected range for the adolescent's age and condition.