After years of struggling with weight management, a middle-aged adult client is evaluated for gastroplasty.
The client has experienced difficulty with managing diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but is approved for surgery.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

Choice A rationale

Production of extra platelets is not the primary pathophysiological process in Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). While the body may try to produce more platelets in response to the widespread clotting, this is not the cause of the coagulation problem.

Choice B rationale

Depletion of clotting factors is a key feature of DIC. In the initial phase of DIC, there is an overactive clotting process leading to the formation of small blood clots throughout the body’s blood vessels. This overactive clotting uses up platelets and clotting factors, leading to a state where the body is unable to control bleeding, which is the second phase of DIC34.

Choice C rationale

Inhibition of red blood cell production is not a primary feature of DIC. While DIC can lead to anemia due to blood loss from excessive bleeding, it does not directly inhibit the production of red blood cells.

Choice D rationale

Activation of complement pathways is part of the body’s immune response and is not the primary cause of the coagulation problem in DIC34.

Choice A rationale

Keeping the infant home from daycare for the next two days after vaccination is not necessary unless the child is showing signs of serious side effects, which are rare. Most vaccines have mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site or a mild fever, which should not interfere with the child’s daily activities.

Choice B rationale

Applying a cool, damp cloth or a cool pack to the injection site can help reduce redness, soreness, and/or swelling. This is a common practice recommended by healthcare professionals to alleviate discomfort after vaccination.

Choice C rationale

It is not recommended to administer aspirin to children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can affect the liver and brain. Instead, if the child is uncomfortable or has a fever, parents can consult with a healthcare provider about giving a non-aspirin pain reliever.

Choice D rationale

While any level of fever after vaccination should be monitored, it is not always serious and should not cause panic. Fevers are a common side effect of vaccinations and are usually a sign that the body is building protection against the virus or bacteria in the vaccine. However, if a high fever persists or the child shows signs of an allergic reaction, parents should contact a healthcare provider immediately.