A nurse is admitting a middle adult client who has cirrhosis. Findings upon admission:

Exhibits

The nurse is assessing the client 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings?

For each finding, click to specify whether the finding is unrelated to the diagnosis, a sign of potential improvement, or a sign of potential worsening condition.

A. Bladder spasms are a common postoperative complication after TURP, and they are typically associated with the irritation of the bladder wall. Cold compresses may be helpful for reducing muscle spasms or swelling in other situations, but they are not typically effective for relieving bladder spasms specifically.
B. Securing the urinary catheter is important to prevent dislodgement and ensure proper drainage. However, securing it to the upper left quadrant of the abdomen is not a standard practice.
C. The appropriate response is often to irrigate the catheter to relieve the obstruction and restore normal flow. While 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is typically used for irrigation, the term "intermittent" refers to manually irrigating the catheter at intervals to flush out any blockages, which is an appropriate approach when there is a concern about obstruction.
D. Encouraging the client to urinate every 2 hours is not feasible or necessary in this situation.

C. Stridor is a high-pitched, crowing sound that occurs during inspiration and indicates upper airway obstruction. Stridor following extubation is a concerning finding and requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate airway patency and prevent respiratory compromise. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider immediately and be prepared to provide interventions such as airway suctioning, supplemental oxygen, or reintubation if necessary.

A. While a sore throat is a common complaint after extubation due to irritation from the endotracheal tube, it does not typically require immediate intervention unless it is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. The nurse should provide comfort measures and monitor for worsening symptoms.
B. An SPO2 of 92% is within normal rage and requires no immediate intervention.
D. While rhonchi may require intervention, they are not typically as immediately concerning as stridor, which indicates upper airway obstruction.