Which explanation would the nurse give to the spouse of a client who had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery when asked why there is a dressing on the client's left leg?

A. A vein in the leg was used to bypass the coronary artery: During CABG surgery, the saphenous vein from the leg is commonly harvested to create a graft that bypasses blocked coronary arteries. The leg dressing protects the incision site, prevents infection, and promotes healing after vein harvesting. B. A filter is inserted in the leg to prevent embolization: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are sometimes placed to prevent pulmonary embolism, but this is unrelated to CABG surgery. There is no routine filter insertion in the leg during bypass surgery. C. The arteries in the extremities are examined during surgery: Although vascular assessment may occur, the leg is not routinely opened for examination of arteries during CABG. The incision is specifically for vein harvesting rather than diagnostic assessment. D. This is the access site for the heart-lung machine: The heart-lung machine typically connects via central vessels such as the aorta and right atrium, not through the leg. The leg incision is unrelated to cardiopulmonary bypass access.