One hour following cardiac catheterization via the left femoral site, a client reports feeling weak and dizzy. Assessment reveals that the client's dressing is dry and intact. Which action should the nurse take next?
Measure vital signs and telemetry pattern.
Palpate and compare pedal pulse volumes.
Measure post-procedure intake and output.
Remove the dressing and observe the site.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: After cardiac catheterization, monitoring the client's vital signs and telemetry pattern is crucial, especially when symptoms like weakness and dizziness are reported. These symptoms could indicate serious complications such as bleeding, arrhythmia, or cardiac tamponade. Monitoring vital signs can help detect hypotension, hemorrhage, or other hemodynamic instabilities. Telemetry is crucial for detecting arrhythmias that may require immediate intervention.
Choice B reason: Palpating and comparing pedal pulse volumes is an important step to assess for vascular complications such as thrombosis or embolism. However, it is not the immediate priority when a client reports systemic symptoms like weakness and dizziness, which could be signs of more serious conditions.
Choice C reason: Measuring post-procedure intake and output is part of routine postoperative care to ensure proper fluid balance. While important, it is not the most critical action to take when a client is experiencing acute symptoms that could indicate life-threatening complications.
Choice D reason: Removing the dressing and observing the site might be indicated if there is suspicion of bleeding or hematoma formation at the catheterization site. However, since the dressing is reported to be dry and intact, and the client is experiencing systemic symptoms, the priority is to assess for potential systemic complications first.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: While developing new screening protocols is a positive step, it does not directly measure the effectiveness of the prevention program in terms of client outcomes or behavior change.
Choice B reason: Early diagnosis of at-risk clients is important, but it is a secondary measure of effectiveness that follows education and behavior change, which are primary prevention strategies.
Choice C reason: Prompt rehabilitation for clients with disease complications is a form of tertiary prevention and does not reflect the effectiveness of the primary prevention program.
Choice D reason: Improvement in client knowledge about specific risk factors as evidenced by test scores is a direct measure of the effectiveness of an educational prevention program. It indicates that clients have understood and potentially internalized the information necessary to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, which is the goal of primary prevention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Massaging the back to promote diaphragmatic excursion can be beneficial but is not the most effective intervention compared to early mobilization.
Choice B reason: Assisting the client to sit in a chair encourages lung expansion and sputum clearance, which are crucial for preventing atelectasis and pneumonia.
Choice C reason: Noting areas of atelectasis on chest x-rays is important for monitoring, but it is not an intervention that actively prevents respiratory complications.
Choice D reason: Providing ice or oral liquids when the client passes flatus is related to gastrointestinal recovery, not respiratory complications.
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