The nurse is caring for a patient with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula on the right arm for hemodialysis treatments. To promote safety, the nurse should do which of the following?

Evaluate the fistula for the presence of a thrill and bruit.
Take blood pressure on the left arm.

Explanation

• Fistula patency should be assessed every four hours by auscultating for the presence of bruits and palpating for the presence of thrills

• Phlebotomy and blood pressures should not be performed on the arm with the fistula

• IV fluids should not be administered through a fistula except during hemodialysis by a trained dialysis nurse

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