Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) after a massive heart attack. When assessing the patient, the nurse notices blood backing up into the IABP catheter. In which order should the nurse take the following actions? (Put a comma and a space between each answer choice [A, B, C, D].)

a. Confirm that the IABP console has turned off.
b. Assess the patient's vital signs and orientation.
c. Obtain supplies for insertion of a new IABP catheter.
d. Notify the health care provider of the IABP malfunction.

Answer 1

In case of blood backing up into the IABP catheter, the nurse should first assess the patient's vital signs and orientation, then notify the health care provider of the malfunction, confirm that the IABP console is off, and obtain supplies for insertion of a new catheter.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is caring for a patient with an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) and notices blood backing up into the IABP catheter, it is critical to follow a sequence of steps that ensure both the safety of the patient and the proper functioning of the medical equipment. The steps should be taken in the following order:

1. Assess the patient's vital signs and orientation to ensure the patient's immediate wellbeing.
2. Notify the health care provider of the IABP malfunction so that appropriate medical response can take place.
3. Confirm that the IABP console has turned off to stop any further potential complications.
4. Obtain supplies for insertion of a new IABP catheter, preparing for the possibility that a replacement may be necessary.

Immediate assessment and communication are crucial in this situation to manage the patient's condition and maintain the integrity of the treatment.