MEDizzy - A nurse assesses a client who has just returned to a

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Physiological Integrity and Developmental Needs

A nurse assesses a client who has just returned to a telemetry unit after having a coronary angiogram using the left femoral artery approach. The client’s baseline blood pressure (BP) during the procedure was 130/72 mm Hg and the cardiac rhythm was a normal sinus throughout. Which assessment finding should indicate to the nurse that the client may be experiencing a complication?

ExplanationAn apical pulse of 132 (bpm) with an irregular-irregular rhythm could indicate atrial fibrillation or a rhythm with premature beats. Dysrhythmias are a complication that can occur following coronary angiogram. The client should be placed on a cardiac monitor to deter- mine the rhythm. A slight elevation of blood pressure could be related to pain at the incision site. It is not indicative of a complication without additional data. Usually pulses are palpable at +2, but without additional base- line data on the clients’ pulses, this warrants monitoring but is not indicative in itself of a complication. A soft groin area where the puncture site is located is a normal finding. Ecchymosis (bruising) does not indicate a complication.