The client had surgery in the morning that involved the right femoral

The client had surgery in the morning that involved the right femoral artery. To assess the client’s circulation status to the right leg, the nurse will make sure to check the pulse at the:

1. Radial artery
2. Ulnar artery
3. Brachial artery
4. Dorsalis pedis artery

ANSWER

ANS: 4
The nurse should assess peripheral pulses and capillary refill distal to the site of surgery. After surgery to the femoral artery, the nurse assesses posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses. The nurse also compares pulses in the affected extremity with those in the nonaffected extremity.