4The presence of a strong dorsalis pedis pulse indicates that there is circulation tothe extremity distal to the surgery indicating that the graft between the femoral andpopliteal artery is allowing blood to circulate effectively. Answer 1 shows the nurseobtaining the radial pulse; answer 2 shows the femoral pulse, which is proximal to thesurgery site and will not indicate circulation distal to the surgery site. Answer 3 showsthe nurse obtaining an apical pulse.
The presence of a strong dorsalis pedis pulse is a positive sign indicating that there is adequate circulation to the extremity distal to the surgery site
The presence of a strong dorsalis pedis pulse is a positive sign indicating that there is adequate circulation to the extremity distal to the surgery site. In this case, the graft between the femoral and popliteal artery is allowing blood to flow effectively to the lower extremity. The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot, specifically on the dorsum of the foot, just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon.
Answer 1, which shows the nurse obtaining the radial pulse, is incorrect because the radial pulse is located in the wrist and is not an appropriate location to assess circulation to the lower extremity.
Answer 2, which shows the nurse obtaining the femoral pulse, is also incorrect. While the femoral pulse is an important pulse to assess, it is located proximal to the surgery site and will not provide an accurate indication of circulation distal to the surgery site.
Answer 3, which shows the nurse obtaining an apical pulse, is unrelated to the assessment of circulation to the lower extremity and does not provide information about the functioning of the graft between the femoral and popliteal artery.
Therefore, the correct answer is that the nurse should assess the dorsalis pedis pulse to determine if there is effective circulation to the extremity distal to the surgery site.
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