A nurse is caring for a client following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Post–cardiac catheterization nursing care focuses on monitoring vascular integrity, preventing bleeding, and ensuring adequate perfusion to the affected extremity. After arterial access, commonly through the femoral artery, the nurse must assess for complications such as hematoma, bleeding, arterial occlusion, or thrombus formation. Early detection of impaired circulation is critical to prevent ischemia and permanent tissue damage. Cardiac catheterization requires frequent neurovascular checks including pulse strength, color, temperature, and capillary refill. Rationale: A. Decreased pulses distal to the insertion site indicate possible arterial obstruction or compromised blood flow, which is a serious post-procedure complication. This may result from thrombus formation, hematoma compression, or arterial spasm. Immediate reporting is necessary to prevent progression to limb ischemia or tissue necrosis. B. Urinary output of 120 mL over 3 hours may be slightly low but is not the most urgent concern in this context. Reduced output can occur due to contrast dye exposure or mild dehydration. The nurse should continue monitoring renal function, but this finding alone does not indicate an immediate vascular emergency. C. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds is a normal finding and indicates adequate peripheral perfusion. This suggests that distal circulation is intact and there is no immediate evidence of ischemia. It is an expected and reassuring post-procedure assessment result. D. Low-back pain near the catheter insertion site can be a common and expected complaint due to positioning, immobility, or local tissue irritation. However, it should still be assessed further if severe or worsening. In isolation, it is less critical than signs of compromised circulation such as diminished distal pulses.