The nurse is continuing to care for the adolescent.
Provider Prescriptions
1415:
X-ray of right leg shows open fracture of the right proximal tibia
Surgery consult
Morphine 4 mg IV every 2 hr as needed for pain.
The nurse is preparing the adolescent for the fasciotomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider prior to surgery?
The adolescent's parents have concerns regarding the surgery.
The adolescent's blood pressure is 131/89 mm Hg.
The adolescent reports severe pain.
The adolescent has not voided in 4 hr.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Addressing parental concerns is crucial, especially for informed consent. If the parents are not comfortable or have unresolved questions, it could delay or prevent the surgery from proceeding.
B. While this blood pressure is slightly elevated, it is not an immediate concern that would typically prevent surgery.
C. Although severe pain is important to manage, it may not require immediate reporting unless it is unmanageable or indicates a serious problem.
D. While the lack of voiding in an immobile patient is a concern and could indicate urinary retention, it is not necessarily a finding that would prevent surgery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Urine specific gravity should not be reported by the nurse. While urine specific gravity is an important indicator of hydration status and kidney function, the provided information does not suggest any abnormalities in urinary output or signs of kidney issues. It is not the most critical finding to report in this scenario.
Choice B reason:
Prealbumin should not be reported by the nurse. Prealbumin is a protein used to assess nutritional status, but its significance in this situation is not apparent from the provided data. It may be relevant in other contexts, such as assessing malnutrition, but it does not directly address the current findings.
Choice C reason:
Temperature should not be reported by the nurse. The provided information does not include any data about the client's temperature, and there are no signs of infection mentioned. While temperature is an important vital sign, it is not relevant to the findings presented in this scenario.
Choice D reason
The nurse should report the "hypoactive bowel sounds upon auscultation" to the provider. Hypoactive bowel sounds can be a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) motility issues, which may indicate a potential problem with the client's digestive system. It could be due to various causes such as bowel obstruction, inflammation, or other GI disorders. Reporting this finding to the provider is essential so that appropriate assessments and interventions can be taken to address the client's condition.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Pain with movement of the left great toe is incorrect finding: Pain may be expected in a client with a fractured left tibia, especially if the great toe is moved. Pain is more related to the fracture and may not specifically indicate altered tissue perfusion.
Choice B reason:
Faint pedal pulse of the left leg is correct because it indicates that the blood flow to the foot is diminished. The pedal pulse is the pulse felt on the top of the foot, and its faintness could suggest reduced arterial blood flow to the foot.
Choice C reason:
Warm skin temperature distal to the pin site is incorrect: Warm skin distal to the pin site may indicate adequate blood flow and could be a normal finding. Warmth is generally associated with increased blood flow to the area.
Choice D reason:
Purulent drainage at the pin site is incorrect. Purulent drainage at the pin site could indicate an infection, but it is not directly related to altered tissue perfusion. Infection can lead to complications, but it does not necessarily indicate reduced blood flow to the extremity
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