The nurse working in the cardiac procedures area receives a patient who has undergone a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery for evaluation of unstable angina.

The nurse working in the cardiac procedures area receives a patient who has undergone a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery for evaluation of unstable angina. Prior to the procedure, the patient was NPO for 12 hours, and received a sedative. An IV catheter was placed for administration of the contrast agents and for access in case of an emergency situation. (Learning Objective 6)

1. What is the rationale for assessing distal pulses immediately after the catheterization?

2.What other assessments should the nurse perform to check for arterial insufficiency?

3.The patient asks why he needs to stay in bed with the leg extended for 2 to 6 hours. How should the nurse respond?

4 After the procedure, why is it important to assess the patient’s BUN, creatinine, and fluid volume status?