Question

The nurse is recovering a client with peripheral arterial disease who has just undergone percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. What complication does the nurse monitor for in the immediate postprocedure period?

a. Bleeding
b. Aspiration
c. Hypertensive crisis
d. Chest pain

Answer 1

After percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for PAD, the nurse should primarily monitor for bleeding, as it is a common and immediate complication postprocedure.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the immediate postprocedure period, after a patient has undergone percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the nurse should monitor for several potential complications. Of the options listed, the most pertinent complication to monitor for would be bleeding. This is due to the fact that the procedure involves vascular access which can lead to bleeding at the puncture site. Other complications that could occur include thrombosis or embolism at the treatment site, but these are not listed in the options provided. Aspiration, hypertensive crisis, and chest pain are less likely to be directly related to PAD treatment and are not the primary concerns in the immediate recovery period following angioplasty.