After performing arterial puncture, check the pulse

Prepare for the CalRegional Phlebotomy Exam with practice tests, flashcards, and multiple choice questions. Each question is equipped with helpful hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your certification!

Multiple Choice

After performing arterial puncture, check the pulse

After arterial puncture, you assess the hand’s blood flow by palpating a pulse distal to the puncture site. This tests whether the artery remains patent downstream and that the hand is receiving adequate perfusion, often via collateral flow. If the distal pulse is weak or absent, it can indicate an occlusion, hematoma compression, or vasospasm that needs attention. Checking a pulse directly over the puncture site or proximal to it wouldn’t reliably reveal distal perfusion, and palpating medial to the site isn’t relevant to arterial flow to the hand.

After arterial puncture, you assess the hand’s blood flow by palpating a pulse distal to the puncture site. This tests whether the artery remains patent downstream and that the hand is receiving adequate perfusion, often via collateral flow. If the distal pulse is weak or absent, it can indicate an occlusion, hematoma compression, or vasospasm that needs attention. Checking a pulse directly over the puncture site or proximal to it wouldn’t reliably reveal distal perfusion, and palpating medial to the site isn’t relevant to arterial flow to the hand.

More practice questions