The nurse is reviewing the nurse’s notes and flow chart to identify trends.
Which notations require immediate follow-up?

Choice A rationale

A lung biopsy is an invasive procedure that is typically performed to diagnose conditions such as lung cancer or interstitial lung disease. It is not the first-line test for evaluating increased shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.

Choice B rationale

Spirometry is a common, non-invasive test used to assess lung function and is particularly useful in conditions like COPD. It measures the volume and speed of air a person can inhale and exhale, which can help in assessing the severity of COPD56.

Choice C rationale

Antibody testing is typically used to diagnose conditions related to the immune system, such as allergies or autoimmune diseases. It is not typically used to evaluate shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.

Choice D rationale

A sweat test is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis by measuring the amount of salt in a person’s sweat. It is not used to evaluate shortness of breath in a client with COPD56.

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.