Question

During the admission interview, a client who is admitted for a cardiac catheterization says, "Every time I eat shrimp I get a rash". What action is essential for the nurse to take at this time? a. Notify the physician b. Ask the client if they get a rash from any other foods c. Instruct the dietary department not to give the client shrimp d. Teach the client the dangers of eating shrimp and other shellfish

Answer 1

The nurse should notify the physician about the client's rash when eating shrimp, as this could suggest a shellfish or iodine allergy. This information is crucial as iodine-based dyes are often used in cardiac catheterizations, which could lead to an allergic reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the action that a nurse should take if a client mentions they develop a rash after eating shrimp is to notify the physician. This is crucial because the client is potentially revealing a shellfish allergy, which may also extend to iodine. This is relevant to a cardiac catheterization as the dyes used in this procedure often contain iodine. Therefore, if the physician is informed, they can potentially prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction by opting for a dye that does not contain iodine or by using a pre-treatment to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

Cardiac Catheterization and Allergy

During cardiac catheterization, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel to reach the heart. An iodine-based dye is often used to help visualize the heart and blood vessels better. If a patient has a known allergy to shellfish (which often translates to an iodine allergy), this can cause an allergic reaction, potentially making the procedure unsafe. Therefore, any indications of potential allergies must be promptly communicated to the treating healthcare team.

Learn more about Allergy Notification