A client with a severe pressure ulcer is being considered for surgical intervention. What should the nurse educate the client about regarding this potential treatment?

Choice A rationale:

Informing the client that surgery will not be needed for their severe pressure ulcer is not accurate and does not provide the necessary information for the client.

Surgical intervention may be required for severe pressure ulcers, especially when conservative treatments have been unsuccessful.

Choice B rationale:

Educating the client that surgery may involve removing damaged tissue is an important aspect of preparing them for potential surgical intervention.

Surgical debridement may be necessary to remove necrotic or infected tissue and promote wound healing.

Choice C rationale:

Informing the client that they'll need antibiotics after surgery is not universally applicable to all cases of pressure ulcer surgery.

Antibiotics may be prescribed if there is an infection, but this depends on the individual case and should be determined by the healthcare provider.

Choice D rationale:

Stating that surgery will only address surface issues is not accurate.

Surgical interventions for severe pressure ulcers can involve debridement of necrotic tissue, closure of the wound, and sometimes reconstructive procedures.

The extent of surgery depends on the depth and severity of the ulcer.

Choice A rationale:

Administering antibiotics to prevent infection is not the primary nursing intervention for a stage 3 pressure ulcer.

While infection prevention is important, optimizing nutrition and hydration (Choice D) takes precedence in this case.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for tissue healing and preventing further deterioration of the wound.

Infection prevention measures like antibiotics may be considered if there are signs of infection, but they are not the first-line intervention.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the patient's pain level and providing appropriate pain management (Choice B) is an important aspect of care for a patient with a stage 3 pressure ulcer, but it is not the highest priority.

Pain management should be addressed, but it should not take precedence over optimizing nutrition and hydration (Choice D), which is crucial for wound healing.

Choice C rationale:

Educating the patient on the importance of mobility exercises (Choice C) is an essential aspect of preventing pressure ulcers, but for a patient with an existing stage 3 pressure ulcer, the priority should be on wound management and nutrition.

While mobility exercises are beneficial, they should not be prioritized over optimizing nutrition and hydration (Choice D) to support the healing process.

Choice D rationale:

Optimizing the patient's nutrition and hydration (Choice D) is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with a stage 3 pressure ulcer.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for tissue repair and wound healing.

Inadequate nutrition can delay healing and increase the risk of complications, making this the highest priority intervention.