A client is admitted with sudden abdominal pain and possible acute pancreatitis. Which serum laboratory test result(s) should the nurse monitor? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Teaching a family member to administer eye drops is important for post-discharge care but not immediate. Eye protection prevents injury post-surgery, and drops are nurse-administered in-hospital, making this intervention secondary to ensuring the surgical site’s safety.

Choice B reason: Providing an eye shield for sleeping is critical immediately, as the right eye is vulnerable to trauma post-glass removal. The shield prevents accidental rubbing or pressure, reducing infection or displacement risk, making it the priority intervention for postoperative protection.

Choice C reason: Deep breathing and coughing exercises prevent pulmonary issues in major surgeries, not minor eye procedures. These may increase intraocular pressure, risking surgical complications, making this intervention inappropriate and potentially harmful for eye surgery recovery.

Choice D reason: Obtaining vital signs every 2 hours monitors systemic stability but is not specific to eye surgery. Eye shield use prevents immediate trauma, and vital signs are secondary, as local protection is the priority post-glass removal to ensure healing.

Choice A reason: Severe headache with photosensitivity suggests meningitis or dehydration but is less urgent than rebound tenderness, which indicates peritonitis. In acute abdominal pain, neurological symptoms are secondary to potential surgical emergencies like appendicitis, requiring immediate reporting for possible operative intervention.

Choice B reason: Right lower abdomen rebound tenderness indicates peritoneal irritation, likely appendicitis, in acute abdominal pain. This surgical emergency risks rupture, causing peritonitis or sepsis, necessitating immediate reporting to the provider for urgent imaging or surgery, making it the priority finding over other symptoms.

Choice C reason: Petechial hemorrhage under the eyes suggests coagulopathy or increased intracranial pressure but is less specific to acute abdominal pain. Rebound tenderness directly indicates a surgical emergency like appendicitis, making petechiae a secondary concern requiring evaluation after addressing peritoneal signs.

Choice D reason: Dark green emesis indicates bile or obstruction but is less urgent than rebound tenderness, which signals peritonitis. Vomiting is managed with fluids, but tenderness suggests a surgical condition like appendicitis, requiring immediate reporting to prevent complications like perforation.