While caring for a patient with a right radial arterial line, the nurse assesses that the fingers of the right hand are cool, pale, and dusky. Which intervention would be important to do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cool, pale, and dusky fingers can indicate poor arterial perfusion and could be a sign of arterial insufficiency. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate physician notification to intervene promptly. The nurse should also assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen saturation and compare the right radial arterial line pressure to other sources of blood pressure to detect any discrepancies.

While Caring for a Patient with a Right Radial Arterial