Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). What is the major indicator of success for this procedure?

A) Increase in the size of the artery's lumen
B) Decrease in arterial blood flow in relation to venous flow
C) Increase in the patient's resting heart rate
D) Increase in the patient's level of consciousness (LOC)

Answer 1

The major indicator of success for PTCA is the increase in the size of the artery's lumen, as it directly relates to improved blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major indicator of success for a patient who has undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an increase in the size of the artery's lumen (A). This procedure involves the dilation of arteries that have been partially blocked with plaque in order to increase blood flow. By inflating a balloon inside the artery at the location of the blockage, PTCA compresses the plaque against the artery walls, effectively increasing the lumen size which allows for improved blood flow. The success of PTCA can be measured by how much this lumen size has increased, as this directly correlates with the amount of blood that can flow through the artery. Neither a decrease in arterial blood flow (B), an increase in the patient's resting heart rate (C), nor an increase in the patient's level of consciousness (LOC) (D) are primary indicators of success for PTCA.