A nurse is assessing a client suspected of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Which of the following physical assessment findings should the nurse prioritize?

A) Correct - Fasting for at least 8 hours before cerebral angiography is essential to reduce the risk of aspiration during the procedure, as it involves the injection of contrast dye.

B) Incorrect - Chest pain is not a normal sensation during cerebral angiography. If chest pain occurs during the test, the client should inform the healthcare team immediately.

C) Incorrect - While some procedures, like angioplasty, require lying flat for several hours to prevent bleeding, cerebral angiography does not typically require this position after the test.

D) Incorrect - It is essential to stay hydrated after cerebral angiography to help flush out the contrast dye from the system. The client should be encouraged to drink fluids, unless contraindicated for another reason.

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.

Questions