A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal examination for a client who has a gastrointestinal disease. Identify the order in which the nurse should use the examination techniques. (Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the order of performance. Use all the steps.)

Rationale:

A. "Store ready-to-feed formula at room temperature for up to 4 hours.": Ready-to-feed formula should be used promptly or refrigerated if not used immediately. Leaving it at room temperature for up to 4 hours increases the risk of bacterial growth and contamination.

B. "Warm the bottle of formula by immersing it in a container of warm tap water.": This is a safe and recommended method to gently warm formula without overheating or creating hot spots that could burn the infant’s mouth.

C. "Keep open cans of concentrated formula uncovered and refrigerated.": Open cans of concentrated formula should always be covered to prevent contamination and should be refrigerated promptly after opening.

D. "Discard any formula left in the bottle within 2 hours after beginning feeding.": Formula left in the bottle after feeding should be discarded within 1 to 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth that can cause illness in the infant. This practice helps ensure feeding safety.

Rationale:

• Pneumonia: The child’s shallow respirations, diminished breath sounds at the bases, and ongoing refusal to use the incentive spirometer suggest decreased lung expansion and poor airway clearance. These are classic risk factors for postoperative pneumonia, especially in pediatric clients who are reluctant to engage in deep breathing exercises.
• Peritonitis: Peritonitis would be indicated by signs such as a rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, or marked fever. The client has mild abdominal tenderness but not the severity or systemic signs expected with peritonitis.
• Wound infection: There are no signs of wound infection. The surgical dressing is consistently described as dry and intact with no redness, drainage, or swelling, which are typical indicators of infection.
• Temperature: The child's temperature is slightly elevated but remains within the low-grade range and does not independently indicate a serious complication. It’s not the most significant factor in this case.
• Bowel sounds: Hypoactive bowel sounds are expected after abdominal surgery and do not directly point to a respiratory complication. They are improving postoperatively and are not a primary concern for pneumonia.
• Breathing effort: The child’s consistently shallow respirations and diminished breath sounds show a risk for poor ventilation. These are warning signs for the development of postoperative pneumonia.
• Abdominal tenderness: Mild to moderate tenderness is expected 1 day after abdominal surgery and shows improvement over time. It is not strongly suggestive of a new or worsening condition like pneumonia.
• Refusal to use incentive spirometer: Using the incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion. Refusing it increases the risk of atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia, especially in pediatric clients with shallow breathing patterns.
• Surgical dressing: The dressing is consistently described as dry and intact with no signs of infection or complication. It does not point to any current or developing risk.