A client has just returned to a nursing unit after a cardiac caterization performed using femoral artery. The nurse places client in which position?

Correct Answer: A. Bed rest with head elevation at 30°.

During cardiac catheterization, if the femoral artery was accessed for the procedure, the client is maintained on bed rest for 4 to 6 hours and the affected extremity is maintained straight and the head is elevated to no more than 30°. Frequent assessment of the extremity for adequate perfusion enables prompt intervention as needed.

• Option B: Guidelines require patient puncture sites to be assessed every thirty minutes for four hours minimum before the patient is allowed off of bed rest. The patient is free to move side to side for their comfort. The head of the bed should be at a maximum thirty-degree tilt. The patient should be allowed to eat and drink right after the procedure if they wish to.
• Option C: Encourage bed rest and keep affected extremity straight or slight bend in the knee (10 degrees) for 6 hours. Bed rest and slight, or no flexion, provide improved circulation and minimizes the risk of further trauma which could promote the formation of a clot.
• Option D: Patients should be kept lying flat for several hours after the procedure so that any serious bleeding can be avoided and that the artery can heal. It is advised that diagnostic catheterization patients are kept on bed rest for four hours, and interventional catheterization patients stay on bed rest for six hours.