The nurse provides care for a post-cardiac catheterization male client in the postprocedure room. Which is a priority nursing action for this client?
Advise the client to void while lying flat with a urinal.
Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Evaluate the client's temperature.
Monitor the client's pressure dressing.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Advise the client to void while lying flat with a urinal: While voiding in a supine position is often necessary to maintain hemostasis, it is not the top priority. It is a supportive measure that follows after ensuring vascular integrity.
B. Encourage the client to drink fluids: Hydration helps flush contrast dye from the kidneys and is important, but it is a secondary priority. Bleeding at the catheter insertion site requires more immediate attention post-procedure.
C. Evaluate the client's temperature: Monitoring temperature may detect late signs of infection, but it is not a critical concern in the immediate post-catheterization period unless there are signs of systemic illness.
D. Monitor the client's pressure dressing: Bleeding or hematoma formation at the catheter insertion site (often the femoral artery) is a major concern. Frequent monitoring of the pressure dressing is essential to detect and manage hemorrhage early, making it the top priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A drop in diastolic blood pressure (25 mmHg) upon rising: Orthostatic (postural) hypotension is diagnosed by a drop of ≥20 mmHg systolic or ≥10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing. A 25 mmHg drop in diastolic pressure is a significant change and meets criteria for this condition.
B. A pulsating headache: While a headache may accompany blood pressure fluctuations, it is not a defining symptom of postural hypotension. It lacks the diagnostic specificity needed to confirm this condition.
C. A blood pressure elevation upon activity: An increase in blood pressure during activity is expected and not diagnostic of postural hypotension. In fact, postural hypotension involves a blood pressure drop upon standing, not a rise.
D. A drop in systolic blood pressure (15 mm Hg) upon rising: A 15 mmHg systolic drop does not meet the threshold for orthostatic hypotension. For diagnosis, the systolic pressure must drop by at least 20 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dyspnea when ambulating from the bathroom: Mild exertional dyspnea is common in cardiac clients and may not require immediate provider notification unless it worsens or becomes unrelieved with rest.
B. A noted irregular pulse rate prior to Lanoxin (digoxin) administration: An irregular pulse may warrant holding the medication and further assessment, but it is not always an emergency unless associated with hemodynamic instability or bradycardia.
C. Pulsus paradoxus on vital sign assessment: Pulsus paradoxus, a significant drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, may indicate cardiac tamponade or severe pericardial effusion. It is a critical finding that requires immediate medical attention.
D. Cyanosis with a pulse oximetry level of 92%: While cyanosis is concerning, a SpO₂ of 92% may be acceptable for some cardiac or pulmonary patients. Further monitoring is needed, but it may not require urgent notification unless oxygen levels drop further.
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