A nurse is assisting with the care of a client 2 hr postoperative following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Check the client's distal pulses in both legs.

Keep the client overnight.

Keep the client on bed rest for 12 hr.

Restrict the client's oral fluids.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Check the client's distal pulses in both legs:

Checking the client's distal pulses in both legs is crucial to ensure that there is adequate blood flow and no signs of arterial occlusion or complications from the catheterization. This is an important assessment to detect potential vascular complications, such as a hematoma or an arterial blockage.

B. Keep the client overnight:

Keeping the client overnight is not typically required for all cardiac catheterization procedures. The need for an overnight stay depends on the individual case and any complications or comorbidities. Routine catheterizations often allow for discharge on the same day with appropriate monitoring.

C. Keep the client on bed rest for 12 hr:

Keeping the client on bed rest for 12 hours is excessive. Typically, bed rest is required for 2 to 6 hours following the procedure to allow the puncture site to stabilize and reduce the risk of bleeding. The exact duration of bed rest depends on the approach used and the patient's condition.

D. Restrict the client's oral fluids:

Restricting the client's oral fluids is generally not appropriate. In fact, increasing fluid intake is often encouraged to help flush out the contrast dye used during the procedure and to prevent renal complications. Monitoring for fluid balance is important, but outright restriction is not typically indicated unless there is a specific medical reason.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Helping the client into the shower: This task can be safely delegated to an assistive personnel (AP). The AP can help the client with activities of daily living such as showering, as long as the client is stable and does not require close monitoring.

B. Ambulating the client in the hallway: This task can also be delegated to an AP. Assisting with ambulation is within the scope of practice for an AP, provided the client is stable and there are no specific concerns that require a nurse’s assessment.

C. Measuring vital signs: While measuring vital signs is a critical task, it can be delegated to an AP. The AP can be trained to accurately measure and report vital signs. However, the nurse should review and interpret the results.

D. Removing the sternal dressing: This is the correct answer. Removing a sternal dressing after cardiac surgery is a complex task that requires a nurse’s expertise2. The nurse needs to assess the surgical site for signs of infection or complications, which is beyond the scope of practice for an AP. Therefore, this task should not be delegated and should be performed by the nurse herself

A. Determine the client's blood pressure 1 min after each position change. B. Place the client in a sitting position. C. Assist the client into a standing position. D. Check the blood pressure with the client in a supine position

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

(A) Determine the client’s blood pressure 1 min after each position change: While it’s important to check the client’s blood pressure after each position change when assessing for orthostatic hypotension, this is not the first step. The nurse should first establish a baseline blood pressure reading with the client in a supine position.

(B) Place the client in a sitting position: Although the nurse will eventually need to check the client’s blood pressure in a sitting position, the first step is to get a baseline reading with the client in a supine position.

(C) Assist the client into a standing position: The nurse will eventually assist the client into a standing position to check for changes in blood pressure, but this is not the first step. The initial step is to get a baseline reading with the client in a supine position.

(D) Check the blood pressure with the client in a supine position: This is the most appropriate first step. When checking for orthostatic hypotension, the nurse should first check the client’s blood pressure while they are lying flat (supine). This provides a baseline reading against which subsequent readings (taken when the client is sitting and standing) can be compared. If there’s a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing, this could indicate orthostatic hypotension.

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A nurse is assisting with the care of a client 2 hr postoperative following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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