A post-operative patient is at risk for developing a wound infection. Which of the following nursing assessments is the highest priority to prevent this complication?
Monitoring the patient's vital signs
Assessing the patient's pain level
Inspecting the surgical incision site for redness, swelling
Assessing the patient's fluid intake and output
The Correct Answer is C
A. While important for overall patient assessment, it's not the most direct way to monitor for a wound infection.
B. Pain can indicate a wound infection, but it's not as specific as directly inspecting the wound.
C. This is the most direct way to assess for early signs of a wound infection. Redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage are classic signs of infection.
D. Important for overall patient care, but not specifically related to wound infection prevention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Obesity does not selectively affect only certain types of surgical procedures; rather, it generally increases the risk of complications across a wide range of surgical interventions. This includes both elective and emergency surgeries.
B. Obesity significantly impacts surgical risk. It is associated with a higher likelihood of complications such as wound infections, delayed wound healing, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular issues. The presence of excess body fat affects multiple physiological systems and can complicate both the surgical procedure and recovery.
C. Obesity does not decrease the risk of surgical complications; rather, it increases it. The excess body fat associated with obesity can lead to problems such as impaired wound healing, increased risk of infection, cardiovascular strain, and respiratory issues, which all contribute to a higher risk of complications during and after surgery.
D. This statement accurately reflects the relationship between obesity and surgical risk. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of a variety of surgical complications.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis. It helps to neutralize excess acid in the blood, which is not the issue in respiratory alkalosis where the problem is a deficit of CO₂, not an excess of acid.
B. Placing the head between the knees might help with dizziness or lightheadedness but does not address the underlying issue of hyperventilation or help with CO₂ retention.
C. Breathing into a paper bag can help the client re-breathe exhaled CO₂, which helps to correct the imbalance caused by hyperventilation. This method assists in raising CO₂ levels in the blood, which can help normalize the pH and alleviate symptoms of respiratory alkalosis.
D. Insulin is used to manage blood glucose levels in diabetes and is not relevant to the treatment of respiratory alkalosis.
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