A nurse is caring for a patient with a right radial arterial line. Which action should the nurse take?

A. Ensure the pressure bag around the flush solution is inflated to 300 mm Hg: The flush solution pressure bag must be maintained at approximately 300 mm Hg to ensure continuous perfusion of the arterial line, prevent clot formation, and maintain accurate arterial pressure waveform readings. Proper inflation is essential for line patency and reliable hemodynamic monitoring. B. Flush the line before administering antibiotics: Flushing the arterial line for medication administration is not standard practice because arterial lines are primarily for monitoring and blood sampling. Administering medications through an arterial line can be dangerous unless specifically ordered, and antibiotics are usually given via a venous route. C. Instruct the patient to bear down when readings are obtained: Bearing down (Valsalva maneuver) can artificially alter arterial pressure readings and is not appropriate during hemodynamic monitoring. Accurate measurements require the patient to be relaxed and in a neutral position. D. Position the patient in Trendelenburg to obtain readings: Trendelenburg positioning is not necessary for arterial line readings and may actually affect hemodynamic values. The patient should be positioned comfortably, with the transducer leveled to the phlebostatic axis for accurate pressure measurement.