A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an appendectomy.
Vital Signs 1800:
Temperature 98.4° F (36.8° C) Heart rate 104/min
Respiratory rate 22/min
Blood pressure 142/80 mm Hg O2 saturation 97% on room air 1800:
Client alert and oriented x 4
Skin warm and dry
Lungs clear on auscultation
Bowel sounds hypoactive in all four quadrants Urine clear yellow
Incisional dressing clean and dry
Client reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
1815:
Morphine administered as prescribed
2000:
Temperature 98.4° F (36.8° C) Heart rate 110/min Respiratory rate 24/min
Blood pressure 158/88 mm Hg O2 saturation 93% on room air.
Which of the following 4 client findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Bowel sounds
Oxygen saturation
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain level
Heart rate
Incision characteristics
Lungs sounds
Correct Answer : B,C,E,F
- A. Bowel sounds are hypoactive in all four quadrants, which is expected after an appendectomy due to anesthesia and decreased peristalsis. This is not a finding that needs to be reported to the provider.
- B. Oxygen saturation is 93% on room air, which is below the normal range of 95% to 100%. This could indicate impaired gas exchange, respiratory depression, or infection. This is a finding that needs to be reported to the provider.
- C. Nausea is a common feature of appendicitis and should go away with appendectomy. This finding should, therefore, be reported to the healthcare provider.
- D. Vomiting is also a common side effect of morphine and anesthesia, and can be managed with antiemetics and fluids. This is not a finding that needs to be reported to the provider unless it persists or interferes with oral intake.
- E. Pain level is 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. The client received morphine as prescribed at 1815, and the pain level is still significant. This is a finding that needs to be reported to the provider
- F. Heart rate is 110/min, which is above the normal range of 60 to 100/min. This could indicate pain, anxiety, dehydration, infection, or bleeding. This is a finding that needs to be reported to the provider.
- G. Incision characteristics are clean and dry, which is expected after an appendectomy. However, the nurse should monitor for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or odor. This is a finding that needs to be reported to the provider if any signs of infection are present.
- H. Lungs sounds are clear on auscultation, which is expected after an appendectomy. However, the nurse should encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises to prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. This is a finding that needs to be reported to the provider if any abnormal lung sounds are heard such as crackles, wheezes, or diminished breath sounds.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A client who had blood drawn from the right antecubital area 1 hour ago does not require blood pressure measurement from the left arm. Blood drawing from one arm does not affect the accuracy of blood pressure measurement in the opposite arm.
Choice B rationale:
A client who has a right peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line should have blood pressure measured from the opposite arm to avoid disrupting the PICC line.
Choice C rationale:
A client who had dialysis and is using an arteriovenous shunt in the left lower forearm should have blood pressure measured from the opposite arm. Using the arm with an arteriovenous shunt for blood pressure measurement can lead to inaccurate readings and potentially damage the shunt, disrupting the client's dialysis treatment.
Choice D rationale:
A client who had a right hemisphere stroke does not necessarily require blood pressure measurement from the left arm. Stroke location does not impact the choice of the arm for blood pressure measurement; other factors, such as vascular access devices or medical procedures, are more relevant in this context.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A. The nurse should discourage raw fruits due to risk of infection.
- B. There is no standard recommendation against exposure to young children.
- C. Incorrect. The nurse should measure the client's temperature at least every 4 hr, or more frequently if indicated because fever is a sign of infection in a client who has neutropenia and requires prompt intervention.
- D. Incorrect. The nurse should use disposable gloves from a box inside the client's room, not outside, to prevent cross-contamination and protect the client from exposure to pathogens.
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