After a femoral cardiac catheterization, what action should a nurse take during the first 30 minutes?

After a femoral cardiac catheterization, monitoring the bilateral peripheral pulses is crucial during the first 30 minutes. This assessment is essential to ensure that there is adequate circulation and that no complications, such as hematoma or occlusion, are occurring in the affected limb. The femoral artery is accessed during the procedure, and the risk of complications such as thrombosis or bleeding can impact blood flow.

By comparing the peripheral pulses, the nurse can identify any discrepancies between the two legs, which could indicate potential issues with blood flow resulting from complications of the catheterization. If one pulse is weaker or absent compared to the other, it could signal a problem that requires immediate intervention.

While assessing pain levels, monitoring for bleeding, and documenting vital signs are all important nursing responsibilities, the immediate focus following cardiac catheterization is on circulatory assessments, making the evaluation of peripheral pulses a priority during those critical first moments post-procedure.