Megacode Case Study: PTCA/Cardiac Cath
MegaCode Case Study
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Professor Amber Essman
Critical Care (NR 340)
July 11, 2013
MegaCode Case Study 1. Describe the preoperative and postoperative care of a client having PTCA/cardiac cath. What complications can occur post cardiac cath?
The goal of PCI (percutaneous Transluminal intervention) is to open the blockage in the coronary artery. By opening the area that is blocked, it will help to reperfuse the myocardium. The faster this is done will help limit the amount of damage. This procedure should be done within 90mins of the patient arriving in the ED. Preoperatively, the nurse will need to ensure that the patient understands the procedure and has signed a consent form. The nurse will also need to gather a medical and medication history and any reactions to medications. The nurse will also check for labs, such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. The patient will need an IV placed. The arterial pulses in both legs (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial) should be checked and documented using a scale of 0 to 4. The nurse should also explain what the patient will be experiencing during the procedure. The patient will be awake but will receive analgesics and sedatives. …show more content…
When discharging the patient, teach them to monitor for s/s of MI or angina, infection, bleeding. This includes fever, swelling, oozing or bruising around cath site. The patient should also report numbness, tingling or pain in the leg used for the procedure as this might indicate a thrombosis. The patient will be taking medication, such as: antiplatelet medication (aspirin or clopidogrel) a statin and a beta blocker. The patient should also be taught to avoid pressure on the cath site, avoid lifting things heavier than 10lbs for two weeks and not to drive for a few days after the
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Professor Amber Essman
Critical Care (NR 340)
July 11, 2013
MegaCode Case Study 1. Describe the preoperative and postoperative care of a client having PTCA/cardiac cath. What complications can occur post cardiac cath?
The goal of PCI (percutaneous Transluminal intervention) is to open the blockage in the coronary artery. By opening the area that is blocked, it will help to reperfuse the myocardium. The faster this is done will help limit the amount of damage. This procedure should be done within 90mins of the patient arriving in the ED. Preoperatively, the nurse will need to ensure that the patient understands the procedure and has signed a consent form. The nurse will also need to gather a medical and medication history and any reactions to medications. The nurse will also check for labs, such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. The patient will need an IV placed. The arterial pulses in both legs (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial) should be checked and documented using a scale of 0 to 4. The nurse should also explain what the patient will be experiencing during the procedure. The patient will be awake but will receive analgesics and sedatives. …show more content…
When discharging the patient, teach them to monitor for s/s of MI or angina, infection, bleeding. This includes fever, swelling, oozing or bruising around cath site. The patient should also report numbness, tingling or pain in the leg used for the procedure as this might indicate a thrombosis. The patient will be taking medication, such as: antiplatelet medication (aspirin or clopidogrel) a statin and a beta blocker. The patient should also be taught to avoid pressure on the cath site, avoid lifting things heavier than 10lbs for two weeks and not to drive for a few days after the