Nokea
Rodolfo, an 85 year old, is admitted for comtinuous cramping pain as the result of intermittent claudication. When conducting an initial physical assessment, the nurse is unable to palpate the pedal pulses. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse's first action should be to obtain a Doppler ultrasound device to assess the pedal pulses. If the nurse was unable to palpate the pedal pulses initially, the use of a Doppler can help in accurately identifying the pulses. It is essential to confirm the absence or presence of peripheral pulses before taking any further actions. This will provide crucial information for the physician to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Conducting a Doppler assessment will assist in evaluating the severity of the situation and guide the next steps in the patient's care plan.