Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization

PURPOSES: To measure oxygen concentration, saturation, tension and pressure in various chambers of the heart. To determine a need for cardiac surgery.

NURSING KEYPOINTS:

v  Check for informed consent

v  Assess allergy to iodine

v  NPO for 6-8 hours before the procedure

v  Check for distal pulses after the procedure

v  Check for bleeding at the arterial puncture site and apply pressure

v  Keep a 20 lbs sandbag at the bedside as a pressure instrument if bleeding occurs

v  Keep the patient flat on bed with the lower extremities hyperextended for 4-6 hours

v  Neurovascular assessment must be performed distal to the catheter insertion site and report any abnormal findings