Nurses' Notes.

Postoperative Day 3. 0900: Client reports pain at surgical incision site as 5 on a scale of 0 to. 10. Client reports bladder fullness.

Perineal dressing intact with minimal serosanguinous drainage.

Client transferring out of bed to chair independently.

Extremities cool and dry with 2+. peripheral pulses.

1300: Client reports abdominal cramping and small, hard, painful bowel movement after lunch.

Ambulating independently in. hallway.

Reports pain as 8 on a scale ofO to 10. Urinary catheter intact with 100 mL/hr of pink urine.

Select the 2 actions the nurse should prepare to take for the client.

Choice A rationale:

Performing a vaginal examination every 12 hours is not necessary in this case. The client is not in labor and there are no indications of any complications that would require frequent vaginal examinations.

Choice B rationale:

The client’s symptoms of severe headache, +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities, and a patellar reflex of 4+ without the presence of clonus are indicative of severe preeclampsia. Antihypertensive medications are often used to manage high blood pressure in preeclampsia.

Choice C rationale:

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of delivering prematurely to help mature the baby’s lungs. Given that the client is at 31 weeks of gestation and has had a previous preterm birth, administering betamethasone would be appropriate.

Choice D rationale:

A low-stimulation environment can help reduce blood pressure and prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia.

Choice E rationale:

Bed rest can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the placenta, which can be beneficial for the baby.

Choice F rationale:

Monitoring intake and output every hour can help assess kidney function, which can be affected by preeclampsia.

Choice G rationale:

A 24-hour urine specimen can provide information about protein levels in the urine, which can indicate the severity of preeclampsia. It’s important to note that normal ranges for lab parameters can vary slightly depending on the lab, but generally, protein levels in a 24-hour urine specimen should be less than 300 mg. Pitting edema is usually graded on a scale of 1+ (mild) to 4+ (severe), and a patellar reflex of 4+ is considered hyperactive and may indicate nervous system hyperexcitability seen in severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Choice A rationale:

Delaying the discussion about managing hair loss when the client has expressed concern is not the best approach. The nurse should provide information and support when the client seeks it.

Choice B rationale:

Discouraging the client from worrying about hair loss at this moment is not empathetic. The client's concerns should be acknowledged and addressed.

Choice C rationale:

Expressing empathy and relating to the client's emotional experience is a good practice, but it does not directly answer the client's question about managing hair loss.

Choice D rationale:

Offering to get information about head-covering options indicates an understanding of the client's concerns and provides a proactive solution. It shows empathy and willingness to support the client during chemotherapy, where hair loss can be a significant emotional issue.