The nurse is assessing a patient who was admitted to the critical care unit 3 hours ago following cardiac surgery

The nurse's most recent assessment reveals that the patient's left pedal pulses are not palpable and that the right pedal pulses are rated at +2. What is the nurse's best response?
A) Document this expected assessment finding during the initial postoperative period.
B) Reposition the patient with his left leg in a dependent position.
C) Inform the patient's physician of this assessment finding.
D) Administer an ordered dose of subcutaneous heparin.


Ans: C
Feedback:
If a pulse is absent in any extremity, the cause may be prior catheterization of that extremity, chronic peripheral vascular disease, or a thromboembolic obstruction. The nurse immediately reports newly identified absence of any pulse.

Nursing

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