A nurse is caring for a school-age child following a femoral venous cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Perform a sterile dressing change 8 hr after the procedure: Dressing changes are typically done only if the dressing becomes wet, soiled, or loose. Routine dressing changes soon after the procedure can increase the risk of bleeding or infection and are generally avoided during the initial recovery period. B. Keep the affected extremity straight for 4 hr: Keeping the affected leg straight helps prevent bleeding and hematoma formation at the catheter insertion site by minimizing movement and pressure on the femoral vein. This immobilization period is critical to allow proper healing and reduce complications. C. Assess the pulses above the catheterization site: It is important to assess pulses distal to the insertion site (e.g., in the foot) to monitor for signs of impaired circulation or vascular compromise. Assessing pulses above the site does not provide information about distal blood flow or potential complications. D. Maintain NPO status for 24 hr following the procedure: NPO status is usually required only for a few hours before the procedure to reduce aspiration risk. After the catheterization, the child is typically allowed to resume oral intake once fully awake and stable, making prolonged NPO unnecessary.