A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following orthopedic surgery.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of paralytic ileus?

A. A client who is scheduled for a procedure in 1 hr is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.

• A client who received a pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain may not need immediate assessment, unless there are signs of increased pain or other complications. The nurse can document the medication administration and observe the client’s response.
• A client who has 100 mL of fluid remaining in his IV bag may not need immediate assessment, unless there are signs of fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance. The nurse can monitor the client’s fluid intake and output, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and laboratory values.
• A client who was just given a glass of orange juice for a low blood glucose level need immediate assessment to reassess for persistent hypoglycemia

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should instruct the parents to report sudden, persistent headaches in a child with sickle cell anemia because it could be a sign of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) Sickle cell anemia predisposes individuals to vaso-occlusive crises, which can lead to stroke due to impaired blood flow. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing complications.

Choice B rationale:

Applying cold compresses to painful areas may help in managing pain during vaso-occlusive crises, but it is not as critical as identifying signs of more severe complications such as stroke. This instruction does not address the urgency of reporting sudden, persistent headaches.

Choice C rationale:

Restricting fluid intake during times of stress is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, maintaining adequate hydration is important to prevent vaso-occlusive crises. Dehydration can exacerbate sickling of red blood cells, leading to more pain and complications.

Choice D rationale:

Avoiding meningococcal immunizations is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, children with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infections, including meningitis. Immunizations, including those for meningococcus, are essential to prevent life-threatening infections in these individuals.