A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following a total thyroidectomy.

Exhibits

Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.

The client is at highest risk for developing

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evidenced by the

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.

A. Assessing fluid intake every 24 hr is important for a postoperative client, but it is not the priority action. The nurse should monitor fluid intake and output more frequently, such as every 8 hr or every shift, to detect any imbalances or complications.

B. Ambulating three times a day is beneficial for a postoperative client, but it is not the priority action. The nurse should encourage early and frequent ambulation to promote circulation, prevent thromboembolism, and enhance bowel function, but only after ensuring that the client is stable and has adequate pain control.

C. Assisting with deep breathing and coughing is the priority action for a postoperative client who had abdominal surgery. The nurse should help the client perform these exercises every 1 to 2 hr to prevent atelectasis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure, which are common and serious complications after abdominal surgery.

D. Monitoring the incision site for findings of infection is important for a postoperative client, but it is not the priority action. The nurse should inspect the wound for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or odor, but this can be done during routine dressing changes or as needed.

Choice A reason:

Urine specific gravity should not be reported by the nurse. While urine specific gravity is an important indicator of hydration status and kidney function, the provided information does not suggest any abnormalities in urinary output or signs of kidney issues. It is not the most critical finding to report in this scenario.

Choice B reason:

Prealbumin should not be reported by the nurse. Prealbumin is a protein used to assess nutritional status, but its significance in this situation is not apparent from the provided data. It may be relevant in other contexts, such as assessing malnutrition, but it does not directly address the current findings.

Choice C reason:

Temperature should not be reported by the nurse. The provided information does not include any data about the client's temperature, and there are no signs of infection mentioned. While temperature is an important vital sign, it is not relevant to the findings presented in this scenario.

Choice D reason

The nurse should report the "hypoactive bowel sounds upon auscultation" to the provider. Hypoactive bowel sounds can be a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) motility issues, which may indicate a potential problem with the client's digestive system. It could be due to various causes such as bowel obstruction, inflammation, or other GI disorders. Reporting this finding to the provider is essential so that appropriate assessments and interventions can be taken to address the client's condition.