The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a saline lock and minimal urine in the drainage bag, who appears anxious and restless. The nurse notices that the client's hands are cool and moist, with prolonged capillary refill. Which action should the nurse take?

Place a warm blanket on the client.

Administer IV fluids per protocol.

Review the medication administration record.

Check the urinary catheter r an occlusion.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Place a warm blanket on the client: Providing warmth may improve comfort temporarily but does not address the underlying cause of the client’s cool, moist hands, prolonged capillary refill, or low urine output, which suggest possible hypovolemia or shock.

B. Administer IV fluids per protocol: The client’s signs restlessness, cool clammy skin, prolonged capillary refill, and low urine output indicate hypoperfusion likely due to fluid deficit. Administering IV fluids promptly helps restore circulating volume and tissue perfusion.

C. Review the medication administration record: While medication review is important for overall safety, it does not address the immediate risk of hypovolemic shock or low urine output in this client.

D. Check the urinary catheter for an occlusion: Although checking for blockage is reasonable if a catheter is present, the client’s overall clinical presentation points to systemic hypovolemia rather than a localized urinary obstruction.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Monitor an IV infusion rate on an established schedule: This task is appropriate for a UAP because it involves observation and reporting rather than clinical decision-making. The UAP can ensure the IV is running at the prescribed rate and alert the nurse if any deviations occur.

B. Titrate oxygen to the prescribed parameters: Adjusting oxygen requires clinical judgment and assessment of respiratory status, including oxygen saturation and signs of hypoxia. This is a nursing responsibility and cannot be delegated to a UAP.

C. Insert a urinary catheter for an uncomplicated client: Catheter insertion is a sterile procedure that requires nursing knowledge and skill. Delegation to a UAP is not permitted due to the risk of infection and need for proper technique.

D. Procure platelet products from the blood bank: Obtaining blood products involves verification of patient identifiers, blood type, and compatibility, which are nursing responsibilities. This task requires clinical accountability and cannot be delegated to a UAP.

A. Pain level presently 3 on a 0 to 10 scale B. The client reports feeling "sleepy C. Client is able to take deep breaths, achieving 1,000 mL on incentive spirometer D. New mild cough noted. E. Repositions in bed with minimal assistance. F. Attempted to get up to the chair, but experienced dizziness with standing.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

Rationale for correct choices:

• Pain level presently 3 on a 0 to 10 scale: A reduction in pain from 8/10 to 3/10 indicates that the morphine is effectively alleviating the client’s pain. Effective analgesia allows for improved comfort, participation in breathing exercises, and reduced stress response.

• Client is able to take deep breaths, achieving 1,000 mL on incentive spirometer: Increased inspiratory volume demonstrates improved lung expansion, indicating that pain control is facilitating better respiratory effort. This is especially important to prevent atelectasis and maintain adequate oxygenation after rib fractures.

• Repositions in bed with minimal assistance: Ability to move with less assistance reflects improved comfort and mobility due to effective pain management. This shows the therapeutic effect of analgesia in enabling functional activity without excessive pain.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Client reports feeling "sleepy": Sleepiness is a common side effect of morphine, reflecting central nervous system depression rather than a therapeutic effect of pain relief. While mild sedation can accompany effective analgesia, it does not directly indicate improvement in the underlying condition.

• New mild cough noted: The appearance of a new cough is not a direct indicator of therapeutic pain relief. It may reflect airway irritation, increased secretions, or a response to deeper breathing, but it is not a measure of analgesic effectiveness.

• Attempted to get up to the chair, but experienced dizziness with standing: Dizziness indicates a side effect of the opioid (orthostatic hypotension or sedation), not a therapeutic response. This finding requires monitoring and safety interventions.

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The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a saline lock and minimal urine in the drainage bag, who appears anxious and restless. The nurse notices that the client's hands are cool and moist, with prolonged capillary refill. Which action should the nurse take?

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Explanation

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