A nurse is caring for a client.

Click on the findings that require immediate follow-up. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

Nurses' Notes

1500:

Client is alert and oriented to person, place, and time. Client is 4 hr postoperative following abdominal surgery. Surgical site has a small amount of serosanguineous drainage on dressing. Dressing is intact. Client reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10. Lung sounds are diminished in posterior lobes. Bowel sounds are hypoactive in all 4 quadrants. Last bowel movement was this morning.

1730:

Client is restless and short of breath. Reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. Pain medication administered.

Vital Signs

1730:

• Temperature 37.2° C (98.9° F)
• Blood pressure 168/84 mm Hg
• Heart rate 116/min
• Respiratory rate 24/min
• Oxygen saturation 93% on room air

Choice A reason:
Discarding the needle in a puncture-proof container is the correct action to be taken. After administering an injection, the nurse should immediately dispose of the needle in a puncture-proof container. This helps prevent needlestick injuries and ensures proper disposal of sharp objects.
Choice B reason:
Removing the needle from the syringe is inappropriate because it could increase the risk of a needlestick injury. Needles should be discarded as a unit with the syringe.
Choice C reason:
Placing the needle on the bedside table is not a safe practice and can lead to accidental needlestick injuries.
Choice D reason:
Recapping the needle before disposal is not recommended, as it increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Many healthcare organizations discourage recapping due to the potential for accidental needle sticks. If recapping is required by local policy, it should be done using a safe method.

Choice A reason:
Wearing a mask when outside of the room is not a standard practice for all patients undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. The need for mask use may vary based on the patient's specific condition and the facility's infection control protocols.
Choice B reason:
"You will be in a negative-airflow room to keep the air cleaner." This is the appropriate answer. An allogeneic stem cell transplant involves replacing the patient's damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy donor stem cells. Patients undergoing this type of transplant have compromised immune systems due to the treatment, which increases the risk of infection. Placing the patient in a negative-airflow room helps prevent the spread of airborne infections by ensuring that air flows into the room but does not escape into other areas of the facility
Choice C reason:
Visitors wearing protective gowns is not a standard practice for all patients undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Visitor guidelines may depend on the patient's immune status and specific infection control measures.
Choice D reason:
Being placed in a semi-private room is not recommended for patients undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. These patients require a controlled environment to reduce the risk of infections, and private rooms with proper infection control measures are generally preferred.