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 C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Passive range of motion may be performed, but it is not the priority in this situation.
B. The head of the bed should be elevated 30 degrees or less, not necessarily flat, to prevent complications.
C. Hourly urinary output measurement is essential because the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) can impair renal perfusion, and monitoring urine output helps assess renal function.
D. Anticoagulants are often necessary to prevent clot formation associated with the IABP, so avoiding them is not advised unless contraindicated.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. There is no time to wait for a DNR order in an emergency; immediate action is needed.
B. Without a written DNR order, the nurse is legally and ethically obligated to initiate CPR and call the emergency response team to attempt to save the client’s life.
C. Contacting the risk manager is not an immediate action that would benefit the patient in this emergency situation.
D. The family’s wishes cannot be respected in this scenario without a formal DNR order in place; thus, the nurse must perform CPR.