Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

In patients experiencing a serious drop in blood pressure post-surgery, what vascular site should receive close monitoring?

1. Radial pulse site.

2. Brachial pulse site.

3. Femoral puncture site.

4. Popliteal pulse site.

The correct answer is: Femoral puncture site.

Monitoring the femoral puncture site is crucial in patients experiencing significant hypotension following surgery, particularly if vascular access or intervention was performed in the femoral region. The femoral artery is a major vessel supplying the lower extremities, and it's also common for certain surgical procedures, such as cardiac catheterizations or vascular surgeries, to involve access through this site. In the context of a serious drop in blood pressure, there is a risk of complications such as hematoma formation or vascular compromise at the femoral site, which could lead to further deterioration in hemodynamics. Close observation of this area allows healthcare providers to promptly identify any issues, such as bleeding or lack of perfusion, which could be critical in managing the patient’s overall stability. While other pulse sites like the radial, brachial, and popliteal are important for assessing perfusion in general, they do not provide as direct insight into potential complications arising from procedures that might have involved the femoral artery. As such, the monitoring focus should remain on the femoral site in these specific postoperative scenarios.