A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured right femur and is in balanced suspension traction. The client is reporting pain from muscle spasms. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a significant concern following knee replacement surgery due to the increased risk of blood clot formation associated with immobility and surgery. Limited mobility can predispose the patient to stasis of blood flow, which increases the risk of VTE.

B. While fluid and electrolyte imbalance can occur postoperatively, especially if the patient experiences complications such as excessive bleeding or fluid shifts, limited mobility alone is less likely to directly lead to this complication as a priority.

C. Limited mobility can potentially impact surgical wound healing by delaying the resolution of edema, impairing circulation, and increasing the risk of infection. However, this complication may not be as immediate or life-threatening as others on the list.

D. Hypovolemic shock, characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion due to decreased circulating blood volume, is a severe complication that can result from significant blood loss. While bleeding can occur postoperatively, it is less common as a complication of knee replacement surgery, especially within the first few days.

A. Administering medication at the right time helps maintain therapeutic drug levels in the patient's system and ensures optimal treatment outcomes.

B. This means administering the correct medication to the patient as prescribed by the healthcare provider. It's crucial to verify the medication name, strength, and dosage form to prevent medication errors and adverse drug reactions.

C. It's essential to double-check the dose calculation and verify it against the prescription to prevent medication errors, especially with high-risk medications.

E. This means administering the medication to the correct patient. It's essential to verify the patient's identity using at least two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth) before administering any medication to ensure it is being given to the intended recipient.

D. The color of medication is not typically considered one of the medication rights. While certain medications may have specific color coding for identification purposes, relying solely on color to identify a medication can be misleading and increase the risk of errors.