A nurse is caring for a client who has a new arteriovenous (AV) graft in his left forearm. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to assess the patency of this graft?

Choice A reason: Auscultating the site for a bruit is the standard technique to assess the patency of an AV graft. A bruit is a whooshing sound created by turbulent blood flow through the graft, indicating that it is functioning properly. The presence of a bruit confirms that blood is flowing through the graft and that it is not occluded. Choice B reason: Auscultating the antecubital fossa with a Doppler stethoscope may detect blood flow in the general area but does not specifically assess the AV graft site. It is not the recommended method for evaluating graft patency. Choice C reason: Comparing blood pressure between arms does not provide information about graft function. Blood pressure differences may reflect vascular anomalies but are not used to assess AV grafts. Choice D reason: Checking brachial and radial pulses can help assess peripheral circulation but does not confirm graft patency. The graft may be patent even if distal pulses are diminished due to other vascular issues.