A nurse is caring for a patient with an atrioventricular (AV)fistula in the forearm and assesses that a trill is absent when palpating the venous side of the fistula.What action should the nurse implement?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If a trill is absent when palpating the venous side of an AV fistula, it suggests that the fistula is occluded. The nurse should report this to the charge nurse and the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management. Injecting heparin or applying warm compresses will not correct an occlusion, and sending the patient to dialysis may not be necessary until the issue is addressed.

A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with an Atrioventricular