A nurse is planning care for an infant following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

Post–cardiac catheterization care in infants focuses on preventing complications related to vascular access and maintaining adequate circulation to the affected limb. Because the procedure commonly involves femoral vessel access, there is a risk of bleeding, thrombosis, and impaired distal perfusion. Nursing assessment must prioritize neurovascular status, including color, temperature, pulses, and capillary refill of the affected extremity. Early recognition of compromised circulation is essential to prevent tissue damage and serious complications. Rationale: A. Monitoring the color of the affected extremity is essential because changes such as pallor, cyanosis, or mottling may indicate decreased arterial blood flow after catheterization. Vascular spasm, clot formation, or bleeding at the insertion site can impair circulation to the limb. Frequent neurovascular checks help identify complications early and allow prompt intervention. B. Maintaining NPO status for 8 hours is not routinely required after cardiac catheterization once the infant is stable and awake enough to safely tolerate feeding. Prolonged fasting may contribute to dehydration and irritability. Oral intake is usually resumed as soon as the provider determines it is safe, rather than using a fixed extended NPO period. C. Assessing vital signs every 4 hours is too infrequent during the immediate post-procedure period. Infants require close monitoring for bleeding, hypotension, and hemodynamic instability, often with assessments every 15 to 30 minutes initially. Delayed monitoring may result in missed signs of serious complications. D. Keeping the affected extremity fixed is not correct because the extremity should remain straight and immobilized, not flexed. Flexion can place pressure on the catheterization site and increase the risk of bleeding or hematoma formation. Maintaining extension helps protect the insertion site and supports proper healing.