A nurse is caring for a client post-femoral artery catheterization. What complication should the nurse closely monitor in the client?

A) Incorrect - Administering intravenous pain medication is important for the client's comfort but is not the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR.

B) Correct - Monitoring for signs of graft occlusion is the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR. Graft occlusion can lead to severe complications and requires prompt intervention.

C) Incorrect - Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe is important for postoperative lung expansion, but it is not the priority when compared to monitoring for graft occlusion after EVAR.

D) Incorrect - Checking vital signs every 4 hours is a standard nursing intervention, but it is not the priority in the immediate postoperative period after EVAR, especially when graft occlusion may pose a more immediate threat.

Questions

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.