The nurse is caring for the patient who is 1-day status post splenectomy. The patient complains of pain of a 3 on inspiration. What would be the most appropriate priority nursing intervention for this patient?
Contact the surgeon to obtain orders for a nebulizer treatment from respiratory therapy.
Provide the patient with a heating pad alternated with a cold pack for incisional pain.
Medicate with opioids for pain and assist the patient to deep breathe, cough, and ambulate.
Contact the surgeon to request a chest x-ray and a laboratory draw for CBC with differential.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Contact the surgeon to obtain orders for a nebulizer treatment from respiratory therapy. A nebulizer is typically not the initial intervention for mild post-operative pain or mild respiratory discomfort due to pain with inspiration.
B. Provide the patient with a heating pad alternated with a cold pack for incisional pain. While heat or cold therapy can help with pain, opioid pain management with encouragement to perform deep breathing exercises is more effective for post-splenectomy patients.
C. Medicate with opioids for pain and assist the patient to deep breathe, cough, and ambulate. Pain management combined with encouraging deep breathing, coughing, and early ambulation helps prevent post-operative complications like atelectasis and pneumonia, which are common after abdominal surgeries.
D. Contact the surgeon to request a chest x-ray and a laboratory draw for CBC with differential. This intervention might be necessary if there were signs of infection or other complications, but mild pain with inspiration on the first day post-op does not typically warrant imaging or labs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hip: While “hip” can sometimes colloquially refer to the iliac crest, it is not commonly used to describe the specific site for aspiration outside of the iliac crest.
B. Cervical spine: The cervical spine is not a site used for bone marrow aspiration due to its inaccessibility and proximity to critical structures.
C. Sternum: The sternum is a common site for bone marrow aspiration in adults as it provides direct access to the marrow.
D. Humerus: The humerus is generally not used for bone marrow aspirations as it does not provide as accessible or large an area for aspiration.
Correct Answer is ["28"]
Explanation
Flowrate= Total volume ml×Drop factor÷Time
= (1000 × 10) ÷ 360
= 27.78
≈ 28 gtt/min
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