While caring for a patient with a right radial arterial line, the nurse assesses that the fingers of the right hand are cool, pale, and dusky. Which intervention would be important to do first?
1. Obtain a blood pressure in the left arm.
2. Try to obtain a pulse using Doppler ultrasound.
3. Notify the physician stat.
4. Flush the arterial catheter and zero the line.
3
Rationale 1: Obtaining a blood pressure will not affect the outcome of this emergency situation.
Rationale 2: The patient is exhibiting symptoms of arterial compromise. Even if a pulse is obtainable with Doppler, it is obvious that emergency action must be taken.
Rationale 3: The health care provider must be notified stat, and the line needs to be discontinued. Symptoms including cool, pale, and dusky skin indicate arterial occlusion, and this is a medical emergency. Loss of arterial circulation will cause loss of the limb distal to the occlusion unless circulation can be restored.
Rationale 4: Flushing the arterial catheter and zeroing the line will not be sufficient intervention in this situation.
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