A nurse is assessing a client who had a colostomy 24 hr ago. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority?

Rationale for Correct Answers:

• LDL level: An LDL level of 145 mg/dL exceeds the recommended limit (<130 mg/dL), increasing the client’s risk for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Elevated LDL contributes to plaque buildup in arterial walls, narrowing the vessels and raising the likelihood of myocardial infarction and stroke.
• BMI: A BMI of 29.8 falls in the overweight range (25–29.9), nearing obesity. Excess body weight, particularly visceral fat, is associated with hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, all of which are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Rationale for Incorrect Answers:

• Exercise: The client walks 30 minutes 5 days a week, meeting the American Heart Association’s guidelines for physical activity. Regular aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure, improves lipid profiles, and strengthens cardiac function.
• Diet: The client reports following a Mediterranean diet, which is associated with lower cardiovascular risk due to its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Although wine consumption is noted, moderation aligns with Mediterranean patterns.
• HDL level: The client’s HDL is 58 mg/dL, which is above the desired threshold (>55 mg/dL). Higher HDL levels offer cardioprotective effects by helping remove cholesterol from the bloodstream and reducing the risk of plaque buildup.

A. "The client was intubated without complications.": While relevant to the surgical process, this detail is more critical in the operating or PACU setting and less essential for ongoing post-op care unless complications occurred.
B. "The client is a member of the board of directors.": This is not clinically relevant and violates the client’s confidentiality by sharing unnecessary personal information.
C. "There was a total of 10 sponges used during the procedure.": Sponge count is important intraoperatively, but it is not typically necessary in a hand-off unless a count discrepancy occurred.
D. "The estimated blood loss was 250 milliliters.": This is clinically relevant and necessary for postoperative monitoring. It informs the receiving nurse about potential volume loss and the need to monitor for signs of hypovolemia.