The nurse is caring for a patient with a left subclavian central venous catheter (CVC) and a left radial arterial line. Which assessment finding by the nurse requires immediate action?
Numbness and tingling to the left hand.
Slight bloody drainage at the subclavian insertion site.
Dressing is beginning to lift around the insertion site.
Slight redness at the subclavian insertion site.
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. Numbness and tingling in the left hand could indicate compromised blood flow or nerve damage, potentially due to the arterial line, requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
B. Slight bloody drainage is a common finding and typically does not require immediate action.
C. A dressing beginning to lift should be addressed to maintain a sterile environment but is not an emergency.
D. Slight redness at the insertion site may indicate mild irritation or early signs of infection, but it does not require immediate intervention compared to the potential vascular or nerve compromise suggested by numbness and tingling.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Obtaining a stat chest x-ray is important if catheter misplacement is suspected, but in this situation, ensuring the accuracy of the pressure reading through proper leveling and zeroing is the priority.
B. Zero referencing and leveling the catheter at the phlebostatic axis is essential to ensure accurate readings of the pulmonary artery pressure, which is critical for patient assessment and management.
C. Increasing supplemental oxygen is unnecessary given the patient’s stable oxygen saturation and normal respiratory status.
D. While notifying the provider is important, ensuring the accuracy of the pressure reading by leveling and zeroing the catheter should be done first.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. This response is dismissive of the patient's concerns and does not address the underlying issue of the patient's misunderstanding of cardiac rehabilitation.
B. This response defers to the physician without providing the patient with helpful information.
C. While true, this statement does not address the patient’s concern about the irreversibility of heart damage.
D. This response directly addresses the patient’s concern by explaining the purpose of cardiac rehabilitation, which is to safely increase activity levels and improve overall heart health, even though the heart damage cannot be undone.