A nurse is caring for a client following an open colectomy. Which of the following findings places the client at risk for delayed wound healing?

 

 

 

A. This client's symptom of shortness of breath while ambulating indicates possible worsening heart failure, which requires prompt assessment but is not immediately life-threatening.

B. Vomiting coffee-ground emesis suggests upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be

indicative of a serious condition such as a gastrointestinal ulcer or tear and requires immediate assessment to determine the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

C. While urinary retention in a client with benign prostatic hyperplasia requires attention, it is not as urgent as upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

D. Green drainage from the T-tube in a client who had an open cholecystectomy may indicate bile leakage, which requires assessment and intervention, but upper gastrointestinal bleeding takes precedence due to its potential for rapid deterioration.

A. Povidone-iodine may be used as a wound cleanser, but the method described here (using cotton balls) is not typically recommended as it can leave fibers in the wound.

B. Administering oral analgesia prior to wound irrigation may be appropriate for pain management but is not directly related to understanding wound irrigation technique.

C. Warming irrigation solution in a microwave oven can lead to uneven heating and potential tissue damage. This method is not recommended for warming irrigation solution.

D. Irrigating the wound from the top to the bottom ensures that contaminants are flushed away from the wound site, reducing the risk of infection and promoting healing. This indicates an understanding of proper wound irrigation technique.