Lvn Study Guide
DAS LVN FINAL STUDY GUIDE
1. Cardiac Catheterization (dye): 1333
Cardiac Catheterization: A cardiac catheterization is performed to obtain information about congenital or acquired heart defects, measure oxygen concentration, determine cardiac output, or assess the status of the heart’s structures and chambers. It may be performed during an angio cardiogram to study the function of the heart or blood supply or to diagnose congenital anomalies or valvular disease. Therapeutic treatments may be done during the catheterization to repair the heart, open valves, or dilate arteries. In this procedure, a long, flexible catheter is passed into the heart through a large blood vessel, usually the femoral or brachial artery. However, with the miniaturization of medical devices, an alternative approach is to use the radial artery (trans radial catheterization). The pressure is measured as the catheter passes through each location, and blood specimens are taken in each area. A dye may also be injected. A team of physicians, nurses, and technicians per-form this procedure, which takes from 1 to 3 hours.
Nursing Considerations. Clients may be apprehensive about the procedure. Explain that it is not painful, although it may be slightly uncomfortable. A local anesthetic is given during the procedure. Warn the client that during the procedure, he or she may feel a sensation of warmth and a “fluttering” in the heart, as the catheter passes through the blood vessels. A signed informed consent is required, and the client is NPO for at least 6 hours before the procedure. Exceptions to the NPO order are specific medications ordered by the physician. Cardiac catheterization usually has no complications, but it is not entirely without danger. Assess the insertion site for bleeding or hematoma. Check the client’s peripheral pulses every 15 minutes for an hour after the test and then frequently thereafter for up to 8 hours, depending on the insertion site used.
Nursing Alert: Immediately
1. Cardiac Catheterization (dye): 1333
Cardiac Catheterization: A cardiac catheterization is performed to obtain information about congenital or acquired heart defects, measure oxygen concentration, determine cardiac output, or assess the status of the heart’s structures and chambers. It may be performed during an angio cardiogram to study the function of the heart or blood supply or to diagnose congenital anomalies or valvular disease. Therapeutic treatments may be done during the catheterization to repair the heart, open valves, or dilate arteries. In this procedure, a long, flexible catheter is passed into the heart through a large blood vessel, usually the femoral or brachial artery. However, with the miniaturization of medical devices, an alternative approach is to use the radial artery (trans radial catheterization). The pressure is measured as the catheter passes through each location, and blood specimens are taken in each area. A dye may also be injected. A team of physicians, nurses, and technicians per-form this procedure, which takes from 1 to 3 hours.
Nursing Considerations. Clients may be apprehensive about the procedure. Explain that it is not painful, although it may be slightly uncomfortable. A local anesthetic is given during the procedure. Warn the client that during the procedure, he or she may feel a sensation of warmth and a “fluttering” in the heart, as the catheter passes through the blood vessels. A signed informed consent is required, and the client is NPO for at least 6 hours before the procedure. Exceptions to the NPO order are specific medications ordered by the physician. Cardiac catheterization usually has no complications, but it is not entirely without danger. Assess the insertion site for bleeding or hematoma. Check the client’s peripheral pulses every 15 minutes for an hour after the test and then frequently thereafter for up to 8 hours, depending on the insertion site used.
Nursing Alert: Immediately