What important,immediate postoperative care practice should the nurse remember when caring for a woman who has had a mastectomy?
A) The blood pressure (BP)cuff should not be applied to the affected arm.
B) Venipuncture for blood work should be performed on the affected arm.
C) The affected arm should be used for intravenous (IV)therapy.
D) The affected arm should be held down close to the woman's side.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The blood pressure (BP) cuff should not be applied to the affected arm as it may cause injury, lymphedema or impede blood flow. The nurse should use the other arm for BP measurements and avoid any invasive procedures on the affected arm such as venipuncture or IV therapy. The affected arm should also be elevated above heart level to decrease edema.

What Important,immediate Postoperative Care Practice Should the Nurse Remember When