A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following bowel resection and reports sudden, severe abdominal pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Perform abdominal palpation by pressing gently with the finger pads.
Determine areas of resonance across the abdomen using a systematic approach.
Expose the client's abdomen to look for changes in appearance.
Use the diaphragm of a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Palpation can help assess for tenderness, rigidity, or masses in the abdomen, which might indicate infection, bleeding, or other complications. However, palpation could potentially worsen a condition such as an evisceration or dehiscence, or cause additional pain. Therefore, palpation should be done only after the visual inspection and with great caution in the presence of severe pain.
Choice B reason:
Percussion is useful for assessing the presence of gas, fluid, or solid masses in the abdomen. Resonance might indicate normal air-filled intestines, while dullness could suggest fluid or mass. However, percussion is not the first action in an acute setting of sudden severe pain because it does not provide immediate information that could be life-saving. It is a later step in the physical examination.
Choice C reason:
Visual inspection is the first step because it can quickly reveal critical signs such as swelling, distention, redness, or evidence of wound complications like dehiscence or evisceration. Identifying these signs early allows for rapid intervention, which could be life-saving. This is why exposing and inspecting the abdomen is the priority in the context of sudden severe pain following surgery.
Choice D reason:
Listening for bowel sounds can provide information about the function of the gastrointestinal system. Absence of bowel sounds might suggest a paralytic ileus, while hyperactive sounds could indicate a bowel obstruction. However, in the context of sudden, severe abdominal pain postoperatively, auscultation is not the first priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Soaking feet in warm water daily is not recommended for individuals with diabetes, as it can increase the risk of skin maceration and infection. People with diabetes should be cautious about foot care practices that involve prolonged moisture exposure.
Choice B reason:
Placing an oval corn pad over the toes with corn and removing it weekly may not be the best approach, as it can increase pressure on the area and potentially cause further skin irritation.
Choice C reason:
Using over-the-counter liquid medication to remove corns is not recommended for individuals with diabetes, as it can cause skin irritation, burns, or infection. It's important for individuals with diabetes to seek professional guidance for proper foot care.
Choice D reason:
"I can apply lotion to soften calluses as long as I don't put lotion between my toes." This is the correct statement. This statement indicates an understanding of proper care for corns and calluses. Applying lotion to soften calluses can help reduce discomfort, but it's important to avoid putting lotion between the toes to prevent excess moisture build-up that could lead to skin breakdown or infection.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Performing percussion over the lower back: While percussion is part of the postural drainage technique, the specific areas to be percussed depend on the client's individualized care plan, which is based on the location of lung segments affected by cystic fibrosis. The nurse should follow the care plan and target the appropriate lung segments for percussion.
Choice B reason:
Covering the area of percussion with a towel is correct. When performing postural drainage with percussion and vibration for a client with cystic fibrosis, it is important to cover the area of percussion with a towel. This helps protect the client's skin and prevent discomfort or injury during the procedure. The towel acts as a barrier between the nurse's hand and the client's skin, allowing for effective percussion while minimizing friction and pressure
Choice Creason:
Scheduling postural drainage after meals: Postural drainage is ideally performed before meals or at least 1-2 hours after meals to avoid potential discomfort or vomiting due to the positioning and movement during the procedure.
Choice Dreason:
Instructing the client to exhale quickly during vibration: Vibration is typically performed during the client's exhalation phase, but the instruction should focus on slow, controlled exhalation rather than quick exhalation.
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