Patient Data

Exhibits

The nurse reviews the client data.

What increases the client's chance for positive outcomes after the completion of the bariatric surgery? Select all that apply.

Choice A reason: Monitoring for fever is essential after cardiac procedures like the one described. Fever can be a sign of infection, which is a risk following any invasive procedure. Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C) for a typical child, but it can be slightly lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening.
Choice B reason: There is no need to restrict the child to clear liquids for several days unless specifically instructed by the physician for a particular reason. After cardiac catheterization, patients are usually encouraged to resume their normal diet as tolerated to promote recovery unless there are other concerns that warrant dietary restrictions1.
Choice C reason: Avoiding baths or showers is generally recommended immediately after cardiac catheterization to prevent infection at the catheter insertion site. However, this restriction is usually only for a few days, not indefinitely. The site needs to be kept dry and clean until it has sufficiently healed.
Choice D reason: Keeping a pressure dressing on the site for one week is not typically necessary. The dressing is usually checked and changed by healthcare professionals, and the site is monitored for healing. The dressing may be removed after a certain period, often before one week, as long as there are no signs of bleeding or infection.
Choice E reason: Alerting the physician if the site bleeds or swells is crucial. Swelling or bleeding can indicate complications such as infection or hematoma formation. Parents should be instructed to look for any signs of abnormal discharge, redness, or increased pain, which could signify an infection.
Choice F reason: The child may take ibuprofen for pain, but it should be under the guidance of a physician. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that can help with pain and inflammation. However, it’s important to use the correct dosage and to ensure it doesn’t interfere with any other medications the child may be taking.

Choice A reason:Deferring to the provider does not address the confidentiality issue; it suggests the nurse is unwilling rather than clarifying the legal obligation to protect an adult client’s health information.

Choice B reason: By stating that only the client can authorize release of their own medical data, the nurse accurately reflects HIPAA and patient‑privacy regulations for an adult. This response both informs the parent and upholds the client’s right to confidentiality.

Choice C reason: This response is inappropriate and unprofessional. It fails to acknowledge the parent's concern and does not provide a constructive way to address the situation.

Choice D reason: While this response may seem helpful, it is not the nurse's role to promise lab results, especially when there are privacy laws that restrict the sharing of medical information with anyone other than the patient unless consent has been given.