The nurse is caring for a client immediately after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. On assessment, the client has absent popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses. The leg cool and mottled. Which action should the nurse take ﬁrst?

Wrap both legs in a warming blanket

Compare ﬁndings to the preoperative assessment of the pulses

Document the ﬁndings and recheck in 15 minutes.

Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The nurse should prioritize notifying the surgeon and anesthesiologist as the ﬁrst action. The absent pulses, coolness, and mottled appearance of the leg indicate potential compromised blood ﬂow to the lower extremity, which could be a sign of vascular compromise or acute limb ischemia. These ﬁndings are concerning after the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and require immediate medical attention.

Wrap both legs in a warming blanket: While it is important to maintain the client's body temperature, this action alone may not address the underlying issue of compromised blood ﬂow and potential limb ischemia. Notifying the surgeon and anesthesiologist is the priority to address the immediate concern.

Compare ﬁndings to the preoperative assessment of the pulses: While comparing ﬁndings to the preoperative assessment is important for evaluating the client's condition, it should not delay immediate action. The priority in this situation is to promptly notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist to address the potential vascular compromise.

Document the ﬁndings and recheck in 15 minutes: Documenting the ﬁndings is an important step in the nursing process, but it should not take precedence over immediate intervention. The concerning signs of absent pulses, coolness, and mottled appearance require urgent attention, and delaying notiﬁcation could lead to further complications.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The procedure uses electrical energy to destroy areas of the conduction system: Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial ﬂutter. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the heartand used to deliver electrical energy to speciﬁc areas of the heart tissue. This energy is used to destroy or ablate the abnormal conduction pathways that are causing the atrial ﬂutter.

Let's go through the other options and explain why they are not accurate:

The procedure stimulates the growth of new pathways between the atria: Catheter ablation does not stimulate the growth of new pathways. Instead, it aims to eliminate or modify existing abnormal pathways in the heart to restore normal electrical conduction.

The procedure uses cold therapy to stop the formation of the ﬂutter waves: Catheter ablation does not use cold therapy. It primarily utilizes radiofrequency energy or other sources of heat to ablate the targeted areas of the heart tissue.

The procedure prevents or minimizes the patient's risk for sudden cardiac death: While catheter ablation can be an effective treatment for certain arrhythmias, including atrial ﬂutter, it is not primarily performed to prevent or minimize the risk of sudden cardiac death. Its main purpose is to restore normal heart rhythm and alleviate symptoms associated with the arrhythmia.

A. Use alcohol swabs to clean the skin before applying the leads B. Clip the chest hair with the patient's permission before applying the leads C. Apply the leads to the arms and legs only D. Reschedule the ECG

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The most appropriate nursing intervention to improve adhesion of the ECG leads on a male client with abundant chest hair is to clip the chest hair with the patient's permission before applying the leads. Chest hair can interfere with the adhesion of the ECG leads, resulting in poor signal quality and potentially affecting the accuracy of the ECG recording. By clipping the chest hair, the nurse can improve the contact between the skin and the ECG leads, allowing for better adhesion and signal transmission.

It is important to obtain the patient's permission before clipping the chest hair to respect their autonomy and ensure their comfort during the procedure. The nurse should explain the reason for clipping the hair and address any concerns or questions the patient may have.

Let's review the other options and explain why they are not the most appropriate interventions:

Using alcohol swabs to clean the skin before applying the leads: While cleaning the skin with alcohol swabs is a routine practice to remove oils and dirt that can affect adhesion, it may not be sufficient in the presence of abundant chest hair. Clipping the hair would be more effective in this situation.

Applying the leads to the arms and legs only: This option would not provide an accurate 12-lead ECG recording, as the chest leads are essential for evaluating the electrical activity of the heart from different angles. It is important to have the leads properly placed on the chest for an accurate assessment.

Rescheduling the ECG: Unless there are other valid reasons for rescheduling, such as a medical condition that contraindicates the procedure, rescheduling solely due to abundant chest hair would be unnecessary. Clipping the hair is a practical and effective solution to improve adhesion.

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The nurse is caring for a client immediately after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. On assessment, the client has absent popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses. The leg cool and mottled. Which action should the nurse take ﬁrst?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is teaching a client with atrial ﬂutter who is scheduled for a catheter ablation? What should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is performing a 12-lead ECG on a male client with abundant chest hair. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention to improve adhesion of the ECG leads?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse on the intermediate care unit received change-of-shift report on four clients with hypertension. Which patient should the nurse assess ﬁrst?

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The nurse is teaching a client with peripheral arterial disease. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

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