A patient who has a radial artery catheter in place is complaining of numbness and tingling in the fingers.What is the nurse's priority assessment?
A)Is there a palpable pulse?
B)Is blood is easily obtained from the catheter?
C)Does the patient have a fever?
D)Does the waveform have a characteristic appearance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The priority assessment in this situation is to determine if there is obstruction of blood flow distal to the catheter. This can be assessed by checking for a palpable pulse in the affected fingers. If there is no pulse, the catheter may be blocking blood flow and immediate action is needed.

A Patient Who Has a Radial Artery Catheter in Place