The nurse is assisting in the care of a patient after open-heart surgery. Which action by the other nurse would warrant intervention?
Providing the patient with a pillow to brace the incision
Instructing the patient to perform deep coughing every 30 minutes
Having the patient sit up and lean forward
Giving pain medication prior to coughing
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Providing a pillow to brace the incision is a recommended practice to support the incision during coughing or movement.
Choice B reason: Instructing the patient to perform deep coughing every 30 minutes is a standard postoperative care practice to prevent atelectasis.
Choice C reason: Having the patient sit up and lean forward can help with breathing and comfort after surgery.
Choice D reason: Giving pain medication prior to coughing is actually a recommended practice to reduce pain and facilitate effective coughing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fecal impaction typically presents with the inability to pass stool and may not be associated with the absence of bowel sounds.
Choice B reason: Incisional infection is usually indicated by localized redness, warmth, and possible discharge, not necessarily by the absence of bowel sounds or flatus.
Choice C reason: Health care-associated Clostridium difficile often presents with diarrhea, not the absence of bowel sounds or flatus.
Choice D reason: Paralytic ileus is characterized by impaired intestinal motility and transit, absence of the passage of flatus, diminished bowel sounds, abdominal distension, and intestinal dilatation, fitting the symptoms described.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Unconsciousness is not typically a finding in the early compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock; it may occur in more advanced stages.
Choice B reason: Tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat, is a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output during the early stages of hypovolemic shock.
Choice C reason: Cold clammy skin is a result of peripheral vasoconstriction, which is a compensatory response to maintain blood flow to vital organs.
Choice D reason: Diminished urine output occurs as the body conserves fluid in response to decreased blood volume.
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