Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has an arterial catheter in the left radial artery for arterial pressure-based cardiac output (APCO) monitoring. Which information obtained by the nurse requires a report to the health care provider?

a. The patient has a positive Allen test result.
b. There is redness at the catheter insertion site.
c. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 86 mm Hg.
d. The dicrotic notch is visible in the arterial waveform.

Answer 1

The information obtained by the nurse that requires a report to the healthcare provider is a positive Allen test result.

Step-by-step explanation:

Out of the provided options, the information obtained by the nurse that requires a report to the healthcare provider is a. The patient has a positive Allen test result. The Allen test is performed to assess the adequacy of collateral blood flow to the hand before placing an arterial catheter. A positive test indicates inadequate collateral blood flow and raises concerns about the safety of the arterial catheter insertion. The other options, such as b. There is redness at the catheter insertion site, c. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 86 mm Hg, and d. The dicrotic notch is visible in the arterial waveform, are normal findings or not directly related to the safety or function of the arterial catheter.