A client with a spinal cord injury is at risk for experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. The nurse would carefully monitor the client for which of the following manifestations?

Choice A reason: Serosanguineous drainage, which is a mixture of blood and a clear yellow liquid known as serum, is generally expected after surgery. While the amount of 150 mL may seem significant, it is not uncommon in the first hour postoperatively, especially after abdominal surgery. The nurse should continue to monitor the drainage and report if the volume increases significantly or if the drainage becomes bright red, indicating active bleeding.

Choice B reason: Greenish-yellow drainage is typically bile, which can be present in NG tube drainage after abdominal surgery. This type of drainage is not unusual and does not necessarily need to be reported unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms or changes in the patient's condition.

Choice C reason: 100 mL of red drainage is concerning and should be reported to the provider immediately. Red drainage suggests active bleeding, and in the context of the first postoperative hour, it could indicate a complication such as hemorrhage. Prompt assessment and intervention are required to address this potential emergency situation.

Choice D reason: Brown drainage may be old blood or could be related to the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. While 200 mL is a larger volume, brown drainage is not typically as concerning as bright red drainage. However, the nurse should monitor for changes in the color and consistency of the drainage, as well as the patient's vital signs and overall status.

Choice A reason: The statement that "the spacer should make a whistling sound as you inhale" is not accurate. A whistling sound from the spacer may indicate that the air is being inhaled too quickly and that the user needs to slow down. The purpose of the spacer is to hold the medication released from the inhaler so that it can be inhaled more easily and effectively into the lungs, not to produce a whistling sound.

Choice B reason: Holding one's breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication allows for better deposition of the medication in the lungs. This pause gives the medication time to settle in the airways rather than being exhaled too quickly. It is a recommended practice to maximize the effectiveness of the inhaled medication.

Choice C reason: Cleaning the spacer is important to ensure that it works correctly and is free of any residue or debris that could obstruct the medication's path. However, the instruction to "clean the spacer daily with cold water" is incomplete. After rinsing with cold water, the spacer should be left to air dry without rinsing or wiping, as this can create static that affects medication delivery.

Choice D reason: Waiting 30 seconds between puffs is recommended to allow the user to breathe normally for a short period and to prepare for the next dose of medication. This time interval helps to ensure that the second puff is not rushed and that the medication from the first puff has had time to act.