Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a radial arterial line. Which of the following is the priority assesment for the client?

a. integrity of the arterial wave form
b. pressure of the fluid in the heomdynamic system
c. temperture of and sensation in the client’s hand
d. level of the client's hemodynamic system transducer

Answer 1

The priority assessment for a client with a radial arterial line is the temperature and sensation in the client's hand, as it ensures the blood flow has not been compromised.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with a radial arterial line should prioritize the assessment of temperature and sensation in the client’s hand. This is essential to ensure that the arterial line has not compromised the blood flow to the hand, which could lead to serious complications such as ischemia or necrosis. Monitoring the integrity of the arterial waveform and the level of the hemodynamic system transducer are also important, but they are secondary to ensuring the patient's limb is not at risk. Effective management of the pressure in the hemodynamic system is imperative, but again, it is secondary to assessing the perfusion of the extremity where the arterial line is inserted.