Exhibits

A nurse is caring for a 44-year-old male client who had an anterior-posterior spinal fusion 3 days ago. The client is experiencing uncontrolled pain and has not had a bowel movement since the surgery. Which actions should the nurse take to assess the client's progress?

Select all that apply.

Choice A rationale

While substituting natural fruit juices for carbonated drinks can be a healthy dietary change, it is not directly related to the patient’s reported symptoms of severe pain and inability to bear weight on the right ankle.

Choice B rationale

Avoiding the consumption of wine, beer, and coffee can have various health benefits, but it is not directly related to the patient’s current symptoms. Furthermore, there is no indication in the patient’s history that these beverages are contributing to the patient’s condition.

Choice C rationale

Using an electric heating pad when pain is at its worst can provide temporary relief, but it does not address the underlying issue causing the pain. Additionally, heat therapy is not typically recommended for acute gout attacks, which could be a potential cause of the patient’s symptoms given their history of gouty arthritis.

Choice D rationale

Encouraging active range of motion can help to limit stiffness and improve joint function, which could potentially alleviate the patient’s pain and improve their ability to bear weight on the right ankle. This advice is relevant to the patient’s symptoms and medical history.

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.