A patient with osteoarthritis is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. The nurse identifies that the surgery will be postponed if the patient experiences which condition?
Chronic joint inflammation
Pain
Infection
Immobility
The Correct Answer is C
A. Chronic joint inflammation is a common feature of osteoarthritis, but it does not necessarily preclude surgery. In fact, joint inflammation is often a reason for considering a total knee arthroplasty.
B. Pain is a typical symptom of osteoarthritis, but it is not a reason to postpone surgery. Pain management can be addressed during the perioperative period.
C. Infection is a critical factor that would delay surgery. If the patient has an active infection, particularly in the joint or surrounding tissues, the risk of spreading the infection during surgery is high, and the procedure would need to be postponed until the infection is resolved.
D. Immobility is a concern for postoperative recovery but does not typically delay surgery. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can address immobility after the procedure.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Offering reassurance is important for addressing anxiety, but it is not the immediate priority in this situation. The patient's difficulty in clearing thick respiratory secretions should be addressed first to prevent further complications.
B. Applying humidification to the oxygen may help loosen secretions over time, but it does not provide immediate relief. The priority is to clear the airway to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent aspiration.
C. Encouraging the patient to increase oral fluid intake is helpful in the long term for thinning secretions, but it does not address the immediate problem of difficulty in coughing up thick secretions.
D. Suctioning the tracheostomy is the priority action. The patient is unable to clear thick secretions, and suctioning is necessary to remove the obstruction and improve airway patency, which will also alleviate anxiety and improve oxygenation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Encouraging ambulation can help improve overall lung function and circulation, but it is not directly related to thinning respiratory secretions.
B. Coughing and deep breathing can help mobilize secretions, but they do not directly thin the secretions. This is more about clearing the airways.
C. Increasing fluid intake is the most effective way to thin respiratory secretions. Fluids help to hydrate the mucous membranes, making the mucus less thick and easier to clear.
D. The incentive spirometer encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis, but it does not directly thin respiratory secretions.
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