A patient who has undergone a femoral to popliteal bypass graft surgery returns to your unit. Which assessments should be performed during the first postoperative day?

Question

A) Assess pulse of affected extremity every 15 minutes at first.
B) Assess pulse of affected extremity every shift.
C) Ensure the patient is crossing the legs.
D) Perform Doppler evaluation every 4 hours.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback: The primary objective in the postoperative period is to maintain adequate circulation through the arterial repair. Pulses, Doppler assessment, color and temperature, capillary refill, and sensory and motor function of the affected extremity are checked and compared with those of the other extremity; these values are recorded initially every 15 minutes and then at progressively longer intervals if the patient's status remains stable. The patient should be encouraged not to cross the legs, and Doppler evaluations should be performed every 2 hours.