An elderly client is 12-hours postoperative for a hernia repair and suddenly becomes agitated, staggers out into the corridor, and demands to be set free.

After assisting the client back to bed and administering pain medication, which intervention is best for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?

A) Incorrect- an audible voice when client is trying to communicate, indicates that the client has some air passing through the vocal cords, which may be due to a partially deflated cuff or a speaking valve. This is not a life-threatening situation, but the nurse should ensure that the cuff pressure is adequate and that the client is not experiencing any discomfort or aspiration risk.
B) Incorrect- This may indicate atelectasis, pneumonia, or pleural effusion in that lung area. The nurse should auscultate the client's lungs more thoroughly, monitor the client's oxygenation and ventilation parameters, and report the findings to the provider.
C) Correct- This finding suggests that the client may have a ventilator disconnect, a leak in the circuit, or a cuff leak, which can compromise the client's oxygenation and ventilation. The nurse should immediately check the ventilator connections and tubing, and assess the client's vital signs and oxygen saturation.
D) Incorrect- high-pressure alarm sounds when the client is coughing, which is a common occurrence in mechanically ventilated clients who have increased airway resistance due to secretions, bronchospasm, or coughing. The nurse should suction the client as needed, administer bronchodilators if prescribed, and ensure that the ventilator settings are appropriate for the client's condition.

A) Incorrect- Pupillary response is not relevant to the assessment of mesalamine's effectiveness.
Pupillary response is often assessed in neurological or ophthalmic evaluations and is not a direct measure of gastrointestinal function or the response to mesalamine therapy.
B) Incorrect- Peripheral pulses are not directly affected by mesalamine therapy, and monitoring them would not provide insight into the medication's effectiveness. Peripheral pulses are typically assessed to evaluate circulatory status and are not specific to the evaluation of gastrointestinal conditions.
C) Correct- Mesalamine is a medication commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It helps to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Monitoring bowel patterns is important to assess the effectiveness of mesalamine in managing the symptoms of these conditions.
D) Incorrect- Oxygen saturation is a measure of the amount of oxygen in the blood and is used to assess respiratory function. While oxygen saturation is important for overall patient assessment, it is not directly related to mesalamine's effectiveness in treating inflammatory bowel disease.