A nurse in a one-day surgery center is providing discharge teaching for a client who is postoperative following a partial meniscectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

D. Appendectomy is a common surgical procedure to remove the appendix and is considered a moderate surgical intervention. Early ambulation is generally encouraged for patients after appendectomy to prevent complications such as pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and ileus.

B. Knee replacement surgery is a major orthopedic procedure that requires early mobilization and rehabilitation to prevent complications such as blood clots, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness. However, the client needs more time before ambulation is initiated

A. Tonsillectomy is a relatively minor surgical procedure that typically does not significantly impact a patient's mobility or ability to ambulate. The patient who had a tonsillectomy one week ago is likely well-recovered and may not require immediate prioritization for ambulation.

C. Hernia repair surgery is typically considered a moderate surgical procedure. While early mobilization is generally beneficial for patients recovering from hernia repair surgery, it may not be as urgent as for patients undergoing major orthopedic surgeries like knee replacement.

A. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a significant concern following knee replacement surgery due to the increased risk of blood clot formation associated with immobility and surgery. Limited mobility can predispose the patient to stasis of blood flow, which increases the risk of VTE.

B. While fluid and electrolyte imbalance can occur postoperatively, especially if the patient experiences complications such as excessive bleeding or fluid shifts, limited mobility alone is less likely to directly lead to this complication as a priority.

C. Limited mobility can potentially impact surgical wound healing by delaying the resolution of edema, impairing circulation, and increasing the risk of infection. However, this complication may not be as immediate or life-threatening as others on the list.

D. Hypovolemic shock, characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion due to decreased circulating blood volume, is a severe complication that can result from significant blood loss. While bleeding can occur postoperatively, it is less common as a complication of knee replacement surgery, especially within the first few days.