A nurse is caring for a client who has returned from the surgical suite following surgery for a fractured mandible. The client had intermaxillary fixation to repair and stabilize the fracture. Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?
Relieve the client's pain.
Promote oral hygiene
Ensure adequate nutrition
Prevent aspiration
The Correct Answer is D
A. Relieve the client's pain: While pain management is important for client comfort and recovery, it is not the priority immediately following intermaxillary fixation. Pain relief can be addressed once the more urgent concerns, such as preventing aspiration, are addressed.
B. Promote oral hygiene: Promoting oral hygiene is essential for preventing complications such as infection, but it is not the priority immediately after surgery and intermaxillary fixation. The client's airway and respiratory status should be the primary focus at this time.
C. Ensure adequate nutrition: Ensuring adequate nutrition is important for the client's overall recovery, but it is not the immediate priority after surgery and intermaxillary fixation. The priority is to prevent complications such as aspiration and maintain the client's airway.
D. Prevent aspiration: This is the priority action for the nurse. Intermaxillary fixation restricts the client's ability to open their mouth, increasing the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs. The nurse should ensure that the client's airway is clear and that measures are in place to prevent aspiration, such as positioning the client appropriately and monitoring for signs of respiratory distress.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Liver function tests: While lithium can affect liver function in some cases, routine liver function tests are not typically required before administering lithium. These tests are more relevant for medications metabolized by the liver.
B. Thyroid hormone assay: This is the correct action. Regular monitoring of thyroid function, including thyroid hormone levels, is essential for clients taking lithium, as lithium therapy can lead to hypothyroidism or exacerbate preexisting thyroid conditions. Checking thyroid function before administering lithium helps ensure the client's thyroid status is within the therapeutic range and identifies any abnormalities that may require intervention.
C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not directly relevant to monitoring lithium therapy. While lithium can affect renal function and electrolyte balance, ESR does not specifically assess these parameters.
D. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP): BNP is a marker of cardiac function and is not routinely monitored in clients taking lithium. While lithium can have cardiovascular effects, routine BNP testing is not necessary before administering lithium. Monitoring for cardiovascular side effects of lithium typically involves assessing for symptoms such as arrhythmias or changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A) Administer ibuprofen as needed for pain: Ibuprofen is not typically recommended for pain relief in infants under 6 months old due to the risk of adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal irritation and renal impairment. Additionally, surgical repair of a cleft lip is not typically associated with severe postoperative pain requiring ibuprofen in infants.
B) Encourage the parents to rock the infant: This is the correct intervention. Rocking or gentle movement can provide comfort to infants postoperatively and may help soothe them. It can also promote bonding between the infant and parents, which is important for emotional support during the recovery period.
C) Offer the infant a pacifier: Pacifiers can be soothing for infants and may help provide non-nutritive sucking comfort. However, it's essential to ensure that the pacifier does not interfere with wound healing or exacerbate discomfort related to the cleft lip repair. Therefore, while offering a pacifier may be appropriate, it should be done with caution and under the guidance of the surgical team.
D) Position the infant on her abdomen: Placing the infant on her abdomen (prone position) is not recommended postoperatively, especially after cleft lip repair surgery. The supine position is typically preferred to reduce the risk of aspiration and ensure adequate airway patency. Additionally, the prone position may put pressure on the surgical site and cause discomfort.
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