Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions Related

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The primary health care provider writes an order to discon tinue a patient’s left radial arterial line. When discontinuing the patient’s invasive line, what is the priority nursing action?

  • A. Apply an air occlusion dressing to insertion site.
  • B. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes.
  • C. Elevate the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours.
  • D. Keep the patient’s wrist in a neutral position.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes. This is the priority nursing action because it helps prevent bleeding and hematoma formation after removing the arterial line. Applying pressure for 5 minutes allows for adequate hemostasis.

A: Applying an air occlusion dressing to the insertion site is not the priority action. It does not address the immediate need to control bleeding.

C: Elevating the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours is not necessary and does not address the immediate need for hemostasis.

D: Keeping the patient's wrist in a neutral position is not the priority action when discontinuing an arterial line. It does not address the need for hemostasis and preventing bleeding.