A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking ibuprofen several times daily for 3 years. Which of the following tests should the nurse monitor?

D. Capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds suggests impaired peripheral circulation, which could indicate vascular compromise or inadequate perfusion to the extremity. In a client with an external fixator, compromised circulation could lead to serious complications such as compartment syndrome or tissue necrosis.
A. This finding may be within the expected range for drainage following surgery, particularly if the client has undergone orthopedic surgery involving the placement of an external fixator. However, the nurse should continue to monitor the drainage and assess for any signs of increased bleeding or hematoma formation.
B. While a low-grade fever alone may not require immediate intervention, the nurse should assess the client further for other signs and symptoms of infection, such as increased pain, redness, warmth, or drainage at the surgical site.
C. While the client's pain level of 7 may require intervention to manage discomfort, it does not necessarily indicate an immediate threat to the client's safety or well-being.

D. A thrill is a palpable vibration or buzzing sensation felt over the graft site, caused by turbulent blood flow. In the context of an arteriovenous graft, a palpable thrill is typically considered a positive finding, indicating adequate circulation through the graft. It suggests that blood is flowing smoothly from the arterial to the venous side of the graft.
A. The presence of a bruit is typically considered a positive finding, indicating adequate blood flow through the graft. Therefore, the absence of a bruit may indicate inadequate circulation or a potential complication such as graft occlusion or stenosis.
B. Normal blood pressure is not a specific indicator of the adequacy of circulation through an arteriovenous graft.
C. A dilated appearance of the graft may suggest venous hypertension or increased pressure within the graft. While this could indicate adequate blood flow, it may also suggest problems such as venous stenosis or thrombosis, which can impede circulation through the graft.