Question

The nurse is assessing a patient with a new arteriovenous fistula, but does not hear a bruit or

feel a thrill. Pulses distal to the fistula are not palpable. The nurse should
a. reassess the patient in an hour.
b. raise the arm above the level of the patient's heart.
c. notify the provider immediately.
d. apply warm packs to the fistula site and reassess.

Answer 1

The nurse should notify the provider immediately if a new arteriovenous fistula does not have a palpable thrill, audible bruit, or palpable pulses distal to the fistula, as it may indicate an emergency situation.Thus the correct option is c.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient with a new arteriovenous fistula, if the nurse does not hear a bruit or feel a thrill, and pulses distal to the fistula are not palpable, this could indicate the fistula is not functioning properly which can be an emergency. Anexpected, audible bruit and palpable thrill are signs that the arteriovenous fistula is patent and blood is flowing appropriately. The absence of these signs, along with the lack of distal pulses, can suggest a blockage or failure that requires immediate attention by a healthcare provider. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse to take in this case is to notify the provider immediately.