Asked by Crystianna Medrano on May 22, 2024
Verified
The nurse is attempting to assess the femoral pulse in a patient who is obese. Which of these actions would be most appropriate?
A) Ask the patient to assume a prone position.
B) Ask the patient to bend his or her knees to the side in a froglike position.
C) The nurse firmly presses against the bone with the patient in a semi-Fowler position.
D) The nurse listens with a stethoscope for pulsations; palpating the pulse in an obese person is extremely difficult.
Femoral Pulse
The pulse felt over the femoral artery, typically in the groin area, used to assess circulation to the lower body.
Obese Patient
An individual with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, indicating a high amount of body fat in relation to height and weight, associated with increased health risks.
Semi-Fowler Position
A way of sitting or lying down where the patient is partially elevated, usually at a 30 to 45 degree angle, often to aid in breathing or digestion.
- Apply appropriate methods to assess the femoral pulse in patients with varying body compositions.
Verified Answer
GS
Gurpreet SinghMay 23, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
To help expose the femoral area, particularly in obese people, the nurse should ask the person to bend his or her knees to the side in a froglike position. This will make accessing the femoral artery easier. The femoral artery is located in the groin area and can be especially difficult to assess in an obese patient. Having the patient assume a prone or Semi-fowler's positions does not help to expose the femoral area and the pulse will unlikely be heard with a stethoscope.
Learning Objectives
- Apply appropriate methods to assess the femoral pulse in patients with varying body compositions.