A person with a blood pH of 7.21 is considered to have which of the following?

Choice A reason:

Checking the patient’s temperature daily is crucial for early detection of infections. Fever is often one of the first signs of an infection, including Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). Regular monitoring of temperature can help identify infections early, allowing for prompt intervention and treatment. This is particularly important for Mr. Johnson, who is at increased risk due to his recent surgery and the presence of a Foley catheter. Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F (36.1°C to 37.2°C).

Choice B reason:

Keeping the surgical dressing in place for the first three post-op days is important for protecting the surgical site from contamination and infection. However, it is not necessarily a strategy to decrease the risk of HAIs beyond the initial postoperative period. The dressing should be changed according to the healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure the wound remains clean and dry. While this is a good practice, it is not as directly related to preventing HAIs as the other interventions.

Choice C reason:

Encouraging and assisting with early ambulation is vital for preventing postoperative complications, including HAIs. Early ambulation helps improve circulation, lung function, and gastrointestinal motility, reducing the risk of complications such as pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It also promotes overall recovery and reduces the length of hospital stay, which in turn decreases the risk of HAIs. Mobilizing patients early can help prevent respiratory infections and other complications associated with prolonged bed rest.

Choice D reason:

Assessing the need for the Foley catheter every shift is essential for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Foley catheters are a common source of HAIs, and their use should be minimized whenever possible. Regular assessment of the necessity of the catheter can help ensure it is removed as soon as it is no longer needed, reducing the risk of infection. The CDC recommends removing catheters as soon as they are no longer necessary to prevent CAUTIs.

Choice E reason:

Teaching and encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer is an effective strategy for preventing postoperative respiratory complications, including pneumonia. Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis and improves oxygenation. This is particularly important for postoperative patients who are at risk of developing respiratory infections due to immobility and the effects of anesthesia. Proper use of an incentive spirometer can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory HAIs.

Choice F reason:

Monitoring laboratory values is important for overall patient care but is not specifically targeted at preventing HAIs. Laboratory values can provide valuable information about the patient’s health status and help guide treatment decisions. However, they do not directly address the prevention of infections. While monitoring lab values is a good practice, it is not as directly related to HAI prevention as the other interventions listed.

Choice A Reason:
Monitoring the CXR (chest X-ray) results is not directly related to assessing myelosuppression. A chest X-ray is typically used to evaluate the lungs and heart, and while it can help identify infections or other complications, it does not provide information about bone marrow activity or blood cell counts. Myelosuppression specifically affects the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, which is best assessed through blood tests like the CBC (Complete Blood Count).
Choice B Reason:
Monitoring the BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel), especially the sodium, potassium, and magnesium counts, is important for evaluating electrolyte balance and kidney function. However, it does not directly assess myelosuppression. Myelosuppression involves the suppression of bone marrow activity, leading to decreased production of blood cells, which is not reflected in electrolyte levels.
Choice C Reason:
Monitoring the CBC (Complete Blood Count), especially the neutrophil, platelet, and RBC (red blood cell) counts, is the most appropriate method for assessing myelosuppression. Myelosuppression results in decreased production of blood cells, including neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), platelets, and red blood cells. A CBC provides detailed information about these cell counts and helps identify conditions like neutropenia (low neutrophil count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and anemia (low red blood cell count), which are common consequences of myelosuppression.
Choice D Reason:
Monitoring the spinal fluid analysis is not relevant for assessing myelosuppression. Spinal fluid analysis is typically used to diagnose conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as infections, bleeding, or multiple sclerosis. It does not provide information about bone marrow activity or blood cell counts, which are the primary concerns in myelosuppression.