A patient is being monitored in the left femoral artery 2 hours after an angiogram. What assessment by the nurse is of greatest priority?
a. The patient is a little sleepy and can't re-member the procedure.
b. The left pedal and posterior tibial pulses are palpable.
c. The patient hasn't voided yet.
d. Both of the patient's feet are cool and pink.
B
The radiologist inserts the angiographic catheter in the groin for a femoral angiogram. Because a major vessel is accessed for the procedure, the patient has a high risk for postprocedure bleeding and thromboembolic events. For early detection of postangiographic bleeding, the nurse monitors the patient for subcutaneous discoloration, a change in the pulses distal to the insertion site, and bright red bleeding. The peripheral pulses detect a thromboembolic event early, which helps to prevent tissue damage or loss. It would not be unusual for a patient to be sleepy and amnesic after this procedure. If both feet are cool, it is probably because of room temperature since noth-ing invasive was done on the patient's right side.
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