A patient with a femoral IAB is transferred from the cardiac catheterization laboratory to the
intensive care unit. Which action is a priority nursing intervention when the patient arrives
in the unit? - ANSWER Assess the affected extremity for the quality and strength of distal
pulses
Which intervention is a priority before inserting an IAB? - ANSWER Reviewing the
laboratory profile for evidence of a coagulopathy
A nurse is teaching a student nurse about IAB removal and asks the student nurse to name
the most important action after IAB removal. Which response indicates that the student
nurse understands the information? - ANSWER Apply direct pressure to the insertion site
and assess the patient for bleeding
Which intervention is a priority directly after IAB catheter insertion to avoid the
complications associated with renal artery perfusion impairment? - ANSWER Obtain a
chest radiograph
A family member asks why the patient needs this "machine and a catheter in the leg." When
explaining the purpose and use of IABP therapy to the patient's family, the nurse should
make which statement? - ANSWER IABP therapy is designed to increase systemic
perfusion
A patient is being admitted as a possible candidate for IABP therapy. The nurse suspects that
the patient may have which diagnosis? - ANSWER Cardiogenic shock
When assessing a patient at the start of the shift, the nurse observes that the trigger source
is optimal when which wave is recognized? - ANSWER R wave
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intensive care unit. Which action is a priority nursing intervention when the patient arrives
in the unit? - ANSWER Assess the affected extremity for the quality and strength of distal
pulses
Which intervention is a priority before inserting an IAB? - ANSWER Reviewing the
laboratory profile for evidence of a coagulopathy
A nurse is teaching a student nurse about IAB removal and asks the student nurse to name
the most important action after IAB removal. Which response indicates that the student
nurse understands the information? - ANSWER Apply direct pressure to the insertion site
and assess the patient for bleeding
Which intervention is a priority directly after IAB catheter insertion to avoid the
complications associated with renal artery perfusion impairment? - ANSWER Obtain a
chest radiograph
A family member asks why the patient needs this "machine and a catheter in the leg." When
explaining the purpose and use of IABP therapy to the patient's family, the nurse should
make which statement? - ANSWER IABP therapy is designed to increase systemic
perfusion
A patient is being admitted as a possible candidate for IABP therapy. The nurse suspects that
the patient may have which diagnosis? - ANSWER Cardiogenic shock
When assessing a patient at the start of the shift, the nurse observes that the trigger source
is optimal when which wave is recognized? - ANSWER R wave
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