The nurse is monitoring a client with Cushing's disease in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after a hypophysectomy. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?
Maintain nasal packing.
Keep head of bed at 30°.
Provide frequent mouth care.
Monitor Intake and output.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Maintaining nasal packing may be important post-hypophysectomy to prevent bleeding or cerebrospinal fluid leaks. However, in the context of Cushing's disease, ensuring oral hygiene is
paramount due to increased risk of infection, especially if the patient is on corticosteroid therapy, which suppresses the immune system.
B. Keeping the head of the bed at 30° helps prevent complications such as cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure. While this is important post-hypophysectomy, it's not specific to Cushing's disease or a priority over oral care.
C. Providing frequent mouth care is crucial in Cushing's disease due to increased cortisol levels leading to immunosuppression and susceptibility to infections. Additionally, glucocorticoid therapy can cause mucosal dryness and ulceration, necessitating meticulous oral hygiene.
D. Monitoring intake and output is essential postoperatively to assess fluid balance and renal function. While important, it's not the priority in this context compared to oral care, especially considering the risk of dehydration due to increased cortisol levels in Cushing's disease.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Every 5 minutes for 30 minutes is crucial after paracentesis to closely monitor for signs of hypovolemia, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure. After this initial intensive monitoring period, the frequency can be reduced to every 4 hours to assess for any delayed effects or complications.
B. Every 5 minutes for one hour is a shorter duration of monitoring compared to option A and
may not provide adequate time to detect and respond to any significant changes in blood pressure that could occur after paracentesis, especially considering the volume of fluid removed.
C. Every 15 minutes for one hour, then every 1 hour for 2 hours provides frequent monitoring
initially, but the interval between assessments is too long after the first hour, potentially missing early signs of complications such as hypovolemia.
D. Every 1 hour for 2 hours does not provide sufficient frequency of monitoring, especially during the critical immediate post-paracentesis period when rapid changes in blood pressure can occur. This schedule may delay the detection and management of complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Do not take any over-the-counter medications. This is crucial because many over-the-counter medications, including those containing acetaminophen, can further damage the liver. Avoiding these medications is essential to prevent further hepatic injury.
B. Eat a high carbohydrate, low fat, low protein diet. While diet can influence liver health, this specific dietary advice is less critical than preventing further liver damage from medications.
C. Call the crisis hot line if feeling lonely. This is important for mental health support, but the immediate physical health concern related to liver damage takes precedence.
D. Avoid exposure to large crowds. This may be relevant if the client is immunocompromised due to liver damage, but it is not as directly related to preventing further liver injury as avoiding certain medications.
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