A nurse is assisting in the use of a fracture bedpan for a client who is immobile due to a cast. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason:
Plain yogurt is appropriate for a full-liquid diet as it is a liquid at room temperature and provides nutritional value.
A full-liquid diet consists of foods that are liquid at room temperature and can be easily poured or sipped. It includes clear liquids as well as liquids that are more opaque, like milk-based products and certain blended foods. Among the options provided:
Choice B reason:
Scrambled eggs are not appropriate. Scrambled eggs are not typically considered a part of a full-liquid diet. They have a solid texture and may not be suitable for this specific dietary progression.
Choice C reason:
Oatmeal is inappropriate. Oatmeal is a solid food that does not meet the criteria for a full-liquid diet. It is usually allowed on a soft or regular diet after appropriate postoperative recovery.
Choice D reason:
Applesauce is inappropriate. While applesauce is softer than solid foods, it is not typically included in a full liquid diet. It is more commonly associated with a soft or pureed diet.

Choice A reason:
Palpation can help assess for tenderness, rigidity, or masses in the abdomen, which might indicate infection, bleeding, or other complications. However, palpation could potentially worsen a condition such as an evisceration or dehiscence, or cause additional pain. Therefore, palpation should be done only after the visual inspection and with great caution in the presence of severe pain.
Choice B reason:
Percussion is useful for assessing the presence of gas, fluid, or solid masses in the abdomen. Resonance might indicate normal air-filled intestines, while dullness could suggest fluid or mass. However, percussion is not the first action in an acute setting of sudden severe pain because it does not provide immediate information that could be life-saving. It is a later step in the physical examination.
Choice C reason:
Visual inspection is the first step because it can quickly reveal critical signs such as swelling, distention, redness, or evidence of wound complications like dehiscence or evisceration. Identifying these signs early allows for rapid intervention, which could be life-saving. This is why exposing and inspecting the abdomen is the priority in the context of sudden severe pain following surgery.
Choice D reason:
Listening for bowel sounds can provide information about the function of the gastrointestinal system. Absence of bowel sounds might suggest a paralytic ileus, while hyperactive sounds could indicate a bowel obstruction. However, in the context of sudden, severe abdominal pain postoperatively, auscultation is not the first priority.