Before a contrast medium study, which of the following is the priority client assessment warranting further investigation by the nurse?

Question

1. Client is allergic to shellfish.
2. Intravenous line is in left arm.
3. Client is anxious and worried.
4. Urine specific gravity is 1.012.

Answer 1

1
1. The nurse needs to clarify information about the allergy to determine whether the antiseptic causing the hypersensitivity reaction has an iodine base; if so, the nurse or provider uses chlorhexidine or another agent for the skin preparation before the study. In addition, because many contrast mediums have an iodine base, shellfish are salt-water creatures, and iodine is in salt, the provider needs to choose an alternative dye. Finally, the nurse needs to question the client to determine the nature of the reaction because the information provides valuable data for the radiologist in choos-ing the proper contrast medium and for the nurse to establish baseline data and pre-pare for postprocedure nursing care.
2. Studies using contrast medium require IV access.
3. The nurse provides explanation and information to help assuage client anxiety and worry, but this is not the priority because it lacks as much potential as a hypersensi-tivity reaction to cause a life-threatening complication.
4. The specific gravity is within normal limits.