A client diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) asks the nurse about effective treatment options. What should the nurse include in the response?

A) Incorrect - Administering intravenous pain medication is important for the client's comfort but is not the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR.

B) Correct - Monitoring for signs of graft occlusion is the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR. Graft occlusion can lead to severe complications and requires prompt intervention.

C) Incorrect - Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe is important for postoperative lung expansion, but it is not the priority when compared to monitoring for graft occlusion after EVAR.

D) Incorrect - Checking vital signs every 4 hours is a standard nursing intervention, but it is not the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR, especially when graft occlusion may pose a more immediate threat.

Questions

A) Incorrect - Complete fasting is typically not required for an angioplasty procedure. The client may receive specific instructions about food and drink restrictions, but a 24-hour fasting period is unnecessary.

B) Incorrect - Angioplasty is not associated with chest pain. It is primarily performed to improve blood flow in narrowed or blocked arteries, such as those in the legs in PAD.

C) Incorrect - Angioplasty is usually performed with local anesthesia, not general anesthesia. The client will be awake but may receive sedation to help them relax during the procedure.

D) Correct - After the procedure, the client is typically advised to lie flat and keep the leg straight for several hours to prevent bleeding and promote vessel healing. This position helps to apply pressure at the site of the angioplasty.