A client is admitted with suspected peripheral artery disease (PAD). Which of the following risk factors should the nurse assess during the admission process?

A) Incorrect - Mild incisional pain is expected after open surgical repair and can be managed with prescribed pain medications. It does not require immediate reporting.

B) Incorrect - Some incisional drainage with slight redness may be normal in the early postoperative period. However, increasing drainage or significant redness may indicate infection and should be reported to the healthcare provider.

C) Correct - Mild swelling of the legs may indicate a fluid retention issue or impaired circulation, which can be a concern after AAA repair. It should be reported for further evaluation.

D) Incorrect - Sudden onset of chest pain is not directly related to the AAA repair and may indicate a different medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

A) Incorrect - While monitoring urine output is essential, it is not the priority for a client post-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Other assessments take precedence to detect immediate complications.

B) Incorrect - Assisting with early ambulation is important for postoperative recovery, but it is not the priority when there might be a risk of complications from the surgery.

C) Correct - Assessing pedal pulses bilaterally is the priority nursing action post-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Diminished or absent pedal pulses could indicate compromised blood flow to the lower extremities, possibly due to a clot or embolism.

D) Incorrect - Monitoring blood glucose levels is relevant for some clients, but it is not the priority in this situation, unless the client has a specific history of diabetes or altered glucose levels that could impact their recovery.

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