Page 1675 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

preventive treatment).
X. Cardiac catheterization (Fig. 52-2)
1. Description
a. An invasive test involving insertion of a
catheter into the heart and
surrounding vessels
b. Obtains information about the structure
and performance of the heart chambers
and valves and the coronary
circulation
2. Preprocedure interventions

a. Ensure that informed consent has been
obtained.
b. Assess for allergies to seafood, iodine,
or radiopaque dyes; if allergic, the
client may be premedicated with
antihistamines and corticosteroids to
prevent a reaction.
c. Withhold solid food for 6 to 8 hours and
liquids for 4 hours as prescribed to
prevent vomiting and aspiration
during the procedure.
d. Document the client’s height and
weight, because these data will be
needed to determine the amount of
dye to be administered.
e. Document baseline vital signs and note
the quality and presence of peripheral
pulses for postprocedure comparison.
f. Inform the client that a local anesthetic
will be administered before catheter
insertion.
g. Inform the client that she or he may feel
a fluttery feeling as the catheter passes
through the heart, a flushed and warm
feeling when the dye is injected, a
desire to cough, and palpitations
caused by heart irritability.
h. The insertion site is prepared by
shaving or clipping the hair and
cleaning with an antiseptic solution.
i. Administer preprocedure medications
such as sedatives if prescribed.
j. Insert an IV line if prescribed.

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