A nurse is caring for a client post-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. What is the priority nursing action to detect potential complications?

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.

A) Incorrect - Assessing pain level at the insertion site is important but not the priority assessment when evaluating the immediate complications of femoral artery cannulation.

B) Correct - Assessing peripheral pulses distal to the insertion site is the priority when evaluating the adequacy of blood flow after femoral artery cannulation. Diminished or absent pulses may indicate vascular compromise.

C) Incorrect - The client's ability to ambulate independently is a relevant assessment but not the priority when immediately assessing the complications of femoral artery cannulation.

D) Incorrect - Capillary refill of the fingers is important but is not the priority assessment in the immediate post-procedure period following femoral artery cannulation.